Lawrence Coben, born in 1958, stepped into the role of Interim President and CEO of NRG Energy, Inc. on November 17, 2023, following the resignation of Mauricio Gutierrez. Coben has a solid background in the energy sector, having been involved...

Lawrence Coben, born in 1958, stepped into the role of Interim President and CEO of NRG Energy, Inc. on November 17, 2023, following the resignation of Mauricio Gutierrez. Coben has a solid background in the energy sector, having been involved with NRG since 2003, including serving as Chairman of the Board since 2017. His experience extends beyond NRG; he founded Tremisis Energy Corporation and held significant positions in other energy companies. Under his interim leadership, he aims to stabilize the company amidst organizational changes. Coben’s recent compensation package totaled about $12.4 million for 2023, with a base salary of $100,000 and a notable portion coming from vested stock units connected to his interim role. Notably, he holds around $12.6 million in unvested restricted stock units, which could be a significant motivator for his performance. His insider trading history shows fluctuations in personal investment values, reaching peaks over $21 million recently, indicating strong ties to the company’s success. Coben’s strategic focus on aligning company goals with shareholder interests will be key as he navigates NRG's future direction.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other NRG Energy CEOs

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Lawrence Coben

CEO of NRG Energy

Education

N/A

Sector of Economy

Utilities

Born

January 1, 1958 - 67 years ago

CEO of NRG Energy for

1 year 4 months (Nov 2023 - Present)

Previous Experience

Chair of the Board at NRG Energy, Inc.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Lawrence Coben

C

Timothy Cawley

CEO of Consolidated Edison

2023 Compensation

Stock

$11.43M

Salary

$1.35M

Bonus

$2.26M

Other

$79.60K

Total Holdings

$23.63M

V

James A. Burke

CEO of Vistra

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.28M

Bonus

$3.16M

Other

$32.69K

Total Holdings

$118.43M

Holdings

See how much did Lawrence Coben make over time.

Lawrence Coben has demonstrated a significant commitment to NRG Energy through his stock holdings. In recent years, the value of his personal holdings has seen substantial growth, reaching over $35 million in 2024. This includes $12.6 million in unvested restricted...

Lawrence Coben has demonstrated a significant commitment to NRG Energy through his stock holdings. In recent years, the value of his personal holdings has seen substantial growth, reaching over $35 million in 2024. This includes $12.6 million in unvested restricted stock units awarded upon his appointment as Interim CEO. Notably, his holdings have fluctuated in value, showcasing peaks of over $21 million as of early 2024. This substantial wealth tied to NRG highlights his belief in the company's potential. Coben's investment approach reflects a long-term strategy, and his financial stake aligns his interests closely with those of NRG’s shareholders, emphasizing transparency and accountability in his leadership role.

Mar 18, 2025

N

shares

NRG @ $94.68

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Lawrence Coben.

NRG

1,931 shares

NRG

Aug 1, 2024

Received

NRG

1,917 shares

NRG

May 1, 2024

Received

NRG

2,583 shares

NRG

Feb 1, 2024

Received

NRG

244,565 shares

NRG

Dec 15, 2023

Received

NRG

848 shares

NRG

Nov 1, 2023

Received

NRG

974 shares

NRG

Aug 1, 2023

Received

NRG

8,612 shares

NRG

Jun 1, 2023

Received

NRG

977 shares

NRG

May 1, 2023

Received

NRG

949 shares

NRG

Feb 1, 2023

Received

NRG

$475.50K

NRG at $31.70/share

Dec 15, 2022

Purchase

Compensation History

See how much did Lawrence Coben make over time.

In 2023, Lawrence Coben's total compensation as Interim CEO of NRG Energy was around $12.4 million. This sum consisted of a modest base salary of $100,000, reflecting his interim status, and a remarkable $12.6 million from vested restricted stock units that will be paid out over three years. Interestingly, he was not eligible for any bonuses this year, as this role only started in late November. His compensation reflects measures designed to incentivize performance aligned with the company's goals, particularly to boost stockholder value. Previously, while serving as Chairman, he earned around $230,000 annually. Coben's compensation package is structured to motivate him to foster growth, thus ensuring that his interests are aligned with those of NRG's shareholders.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$13.23M

Salary

$100.00K

Board Justification

The compensation program is designed to align executive pay with stockholder value and incentivize executives to achieve corporate goals, with a significant portion being at-risk based on performance metrics.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

Dr. Coben was not eligible for an AIP award in 2023 as Interim CEO.

Other

$489.03K

Board Justification

This amount includes compensation earned for his service as a non-employee director and Chair of the Board prior to his appointment as Interim CEO.

Restricted Stock

$12.64M(244.57K RSU)

Board Justification

The RSUs granted to Dr. Coben in connection with his appointment as Interim CEO will vest in increments of one-third on each anniversary of the grant date over three years, starting from December 15, 2023.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for the 2023 AIP included Adjusted Free Cash Flow before Growth, Adjusted EBITDA, Credit Ratio, and ESG metrics.

Other NRG Energy CEOs

Here are other CEOs of NRG Energy

Mauricio Gutierrez

Ex-CEO of NRG Energy

December 2015 - November 2023