Michael J. Happe, born in 1971, has been leading Winnebago Industries since January 2016 as CEO and President. He joined Winnebago after working nearly two decades at Toro Company, where he gained extensive experience in executive roles across multiple divisions....
Michael J. Happe, born in 1971, has been leading Winnebago Industries since January 2016 as CEO and President. He joined Winnebago after working nearly two decades at Toro Company, where he gained extensive experience in executive roles across multiple divisions. Under his leadership, Winnebago has focused on performance metrics like revenue growth and profitability, which is reflected in his compensation structure. In 2022, Happe's earnings included a base salary of $800,000, a bonus tied to the company's performance, and vested stock options worth approximately $250,000. Notably, his total compensation has seen significant yearly fluctuations, reaching as high as $1.75 million in 2016, showing the high stakes of leading a major company in the recreational vehicle industry. Happe's strategic focus includes aligning the company's goals with shareholder interests, pushing for innovation, and maintaining competitive practices in the market. He also has a substantial severance package of two times his base salary and annual target bonus, indicative of how the company values leadership stability.