John W. Brown served as CEO of Stryker Corporation from June 2003 to January 2005 after a long career with the company, starting in 1977. He led Stryker, which manufactures medical devices, during a period of significant growth. Brown is...

John W. Brown served as CEO of Stryker Corporation from June 2003 to January 2005 after a long career with the company, starting in 1977. He led Stryker, which manufactures medical devices, during a period of significant growth. Brown is also a skilled negotiator; upon joining Stryker, he secured a lucrative employment agreement that included a special stock option grant of 1,000,000 shares. This move aligned his financial interests directly with the company’s future success. Notably, in 2004, he received a total compensation of $2,975,000, which included a special bonus of $1 million for outstanding performance. The years he spent at Stryker are marked by a focus on aligning executive compensation with company performance, a practice that continues today. His educational background in industrial engineering from Auburn University laid the foundation for his future achievements. After retiring as CEO, he continued to contribute as a non-executive chairman, demonstrating his long-lasting impact on the company. With over 19 million shares, he held a substantial stake in Stryker, reflecting his confidence in the company's direction and success.