Jonathan W. Painter is the former CEO of Kadant Inc., a company he helped lead through significant growth in the paper and manufacturing sectors. Born on May 14, 1960, he holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Massachusetts...

Jonathan W. Painter is the former CEO of Kadant Inc., a company he helped lead through significant growth in the paper and manufacturing sectors. Born on May 14, 1960, he holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Painter joined Kadant in 1997 as the Executive Vice President and moved up the ranks, eventually becoming CEO in January 2010. His extensive experience involves overseeing the company’s fiber-based products and stock-preparation business. Notably, Painter's annual compensation peaked in 2018 at about $4.6 million, primarily driven by performance-based stock awards linked to Kadant’s success. After stepping down as CEO in 2019, he transitioned to executive chairman, indicating his ongoing influence in the company’s direction. He is also a seasoned insider in the corporate world, having acquired significant shares in Kadant, which highlights his long-term commitment to the company. After a solid career, he plans to retire in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and successful transition planning within the company.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

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Jonathan W. Painter

CEO of Kadant

Field of Expertise

Business & Management

Sector of Economy

Industrials

CEO of Kadant for

15 years 3 months (Jan 2010 - Present)

Previous Experience

Executive Vice President responsible for stock-preparation business and fiber-based product line.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Jonathan W. Painter

D

Richard J. Tobin

CEO of Dover

2023 Compensation

Stock

$3.25M

Salary

$1.29M

Bonus

$2.00M

Other

$207.19K

Total Holdings

$69.71M

A

Gunnar Kleveland

CEO of Albany International Inc.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$507.48K

Salary

$300.00K

Bonus

$3.30M

Other

$139.67K

Total Holdings

$879.42K

G

Mark W. Sheahan

CEO of Graco

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$985.00K

Bonus

$1.30M

Other

$26.76K

Total Holdings

$6.90M

W

Robert J. Pagano, Jr.

CEO of Watts Water Technologies, Inc.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.10M

Bonus

$4.46M

Other

$0.00

Total Holdings

$51.55M

L

Christopher L. Mapes

CEO of Lincoln Electric Holdings

2023 Compensation

Stock

$2.59M

Salary

$1.11M

Bonus

$2.78M

Other

$320.35K

Total Holdings

$21.65M

I

Nicholas Fanandakis

CEO of ITT

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.09M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$158.98K

Total Holdings

$1.45M

Holdings

See how much did Jonathan W. Painter make over time.

Jonathan Painter holds a strong position in Kadant Inc., reflecting his deep commitment to the company. At one point, he had significant wealth tied up in Kadant shares, showcasing his belief in its future. His holdings fluctuated over the years,...

Jonathan Painter holds a strong position in Kadant Inc., reflecting his deep commitment to the company. At one point, he had significant wealth tied up in Kadant shares, showcasing his belief in its future. His holdings fluctuated over the years, peaking when he was awarded thousands of performance-based stock units linked directly to Kadant’s performance metrics. For instance, in 2018 alone, he vested over 31,900 RSUs valued at approximately $3.3 million. This illustrates not just his wealth but also his responsibility linked to the company's success. Painter's strategic involvement allowed him to accumulate a substantial number of shares, with his wealth closely tied to Kadant’s stock performance throughout his tenure. As he transitions into an advisory and chairman role, his stock poses as a testament to his years at the helm and confidence in Kadant's long-term strategy.

Mar 11, 2025

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shares

GHM @ $NaN

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shares

KAI @ $362.98

Total Stock Sold

$37.88M

KAI

$37.88M

409,243 KAI shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Jonathan W. Painter didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra KAI409,243 shares worth $31.96M.
This is -15.61% and $5.91M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Jonathan W. Painter.

KAI

$2.30M

KAI at $329.06/share

Mar 1, 2024

Sale

KAI

$2.16M

KAI at $216.33/share

Sep 27, 2021

Sale

KAI

$335.15K

KAI at $85.59/share

May 8, 2020

Sale

KAI

$1.07M

KAI at $87.12/share

Apr 29, 2020

Sale

KAI

$1.75M

KAI at $110.19/share

Jan 15, 2020

Sale

KAI

$2.33M

KAI at $108.17/share

Jan 10, 2020

Sale

KAI

$2.14M

KAI at $107.87/share

Jan 7, 2020

Sale

Compensation History

See how much did Jonathan W. Painter make over time.

In 2018, Jonathan W. Painter's total compensation reached approximately $4.6 million, making it one of the most significant years in his career. His salary for that year was $675,000, with no bonus awarded because performance metrics weren't met. However, the bulk of his earnings came from performance-based stock units worth about $3.3 million that he vested, emphasizing the company's performance as a driver of his compensation. Over his tenure, his compensation package was strategically aligned with company performance, notably in terms of adjusted EBITDA and EPS growth metrics. Painter's pay reflects a compensation philosophy aimed at attracting and retaining top talent while ensuring that executives were motivated to drive long-term value for shareholders. Despite stepping down in 2019, he became the executive chairman, which allowed his compensation to shift to a part-time salary of $380,000 as he moved towards retirement.

Year

2018

Total Compensation

$4.05M

Salary

$675.00K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy is designed to attract and retain talented executives, linking compensation to performance metrics that drive long-term value for stockholders.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

No bonus was awarded for fiscal year 2018 as the performance-based cash incentive was not applicable.

Other

$39.29K

Board Justification

This includes employer contributions under the 401(k) savings plan, life insurance premiums, and costs associated with the automobile program.

Restricted Stock

$3.33M(31.95K RSU)

Board Justification

The stock awards that vested in 2018 were performance-based RSUs that were earned based on the company's performance against established targets for adjusted EBITDA.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics include adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS growth compared to prior years.