Jayson Penn was the CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation from 2019 until 2020, a significant player in the chicken processing industry. His time at the helm was marked by challenges, including a paid leave of absence due to legal issues...

Jayson Penn was the CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation from 2019 until 2020, a significant player in the chicken processing industry. His time at the helm was marked by challenges, including a paid leave of absence due to legal issues regarding an indictment related to antitrust laws. Before becoming CEO, he held various roles within the company, building a track record in operations and management. In 2019, his total compensation was over $4.4 million, including a substantial bonus that reflected the company's performance metrics. However, his compensation took a hit in 2020, when he was on leave and forfeited his bonus for that year. Interestingly, during his tenure, his stock holdings fluctuated significantly, dropping from over $6 million to under $4 million as the market reacted to various pressures. Penn's departure from the CEO role highlights the volatile nature of executive leadership in public companies, where personal and legal matters can impact corporate performance and compensation.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Pilgrim's Pride Corporation CEOs

P

Jayson Penn

Ex-CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

Education

Not specified

Sector of Economy

Consumer Defensive

CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation for

3 years 7 months (Feb 2017 - Sep 2020)

Previous Experience

Not specified

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Jayson Penn

Holdings

See how much did Jayson Penn make over time.

During his time as CEO, Jayson Penn's stock holdings showed notable fluctuations. At one point, his reported stock holdings reached as high as $6.6 million in December 2019. But as he faced scrutiny and market adjustments, these holdings dropped significantly....

During his time as CEO, Jayson Penn's stock holdings showed notable fluctuations. At one point, his reported stock holdings reached as high as $6.6 million in December 2019. But as he faced scrutiny and market adjustments, these holdings dropped significantly. By mid-2020, they fell below $4 million as the pressures on the company and its stock price mounted. This stark shift illustrates the risks and volatility CEOs face as their fortunes are often tied to the performance of the company's stock. His financial journey in stock ownership exemplifies how external factors like legal issues can dramatically affect a CEO's wealth.

Mar 17, 2025

P

shares

PPC @ $49.60

Total Stock Sold

$1.53M

PPC

$1.53M

55,210 PPC shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Jayson Penn didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra PPC55,210 shares worth $1.06M.
This is -30.8% and $472.12K less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Jayson Penn.

PPC

$88.98K

PPC at $22.31/share

Feb 26, 2020

Sale

PPC

56,501 shares

PPC

Feb 20, 2020

Received

PPC

$1.45M

PPC at $28.29/share

Aug 6, 2019

Sale

PPC

$2.69M

PPC at $26.86/share

May 1, 2019

Received

Compensation History

See how much did Jayson Penn make over time.

Jayson Penn's compensation as CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation highlighted the link between company performance and executive pay. In 2019, he earned over $4.4 million, driven primarily by a hefty bonus tied to performance metrics such as profitability. However, in 2020, his total compensation plummeted to around $723,665, primarily due to his paid leave of absence and forfeiting his eligibility for bonuses linked to the Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP). His situation serves as a case study in how sudden changes in circumstance can severely impact earnings. The drop in pay alongside his absence from leadership roles marks a shift from high rewards to a stark reminder of the risks involved in corporate governance.

Year

2020

Total Compensation

$2.36M

Salary

$720.00K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy is designed to align executive compensation with company performance and market competitiveness, while rewarding sustained financial and operational performance.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

Mr. Penn was on a paid leave of absence for part of 2020 and forfeited his right to the STIP for 2020, receiving no bonus.

Other

$3.67K

Board Justification

Includes group-term life insurance, company 401(k) match, and allowances.

Restricted Stock

$1.64M(108.87K RSU)

Board Justification

Mr. Penn had previously been granted 100,000 time-vesting RSUs that vested on July 1, 2020, which were settled in cash in lieu of shares of common stock.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for the CEO's compensation were based on the company's profitability and performance relative to peers.

Other Pilgrim's Pride Corporation CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

William W. Lovette

Ex-CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

January 2011 - February 2017

Fabio Sandri

CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

September 2020 - Present