Richard T. Clark is the former CEO of Merck & Co., Inc., a role he held from 2005 until his retirement in 2011 after a long 32-year career with the company. His leadership saw Merck navigating tough times, particularly during...

Richard T. Clark is the former CEO of Merck & Co., Inc., a role he held from 2005 until his retirement in 2011 after a long 32-year career with the company. His leadership saw Merck navigating tough times, particularly during the VIOXX drug withdrawal crisis. Clark focused on aligning his pay with the company’s performance, earning over $24 million in 2010 primarily due to stock tied to performance metrics. He also had some savvy investments, notably holding around 32,278 shares of Automatic Data Processing valued at nearly $8.9 million in 2024. During his time, he emphasized talent retention and aimed for long-term growth, reflecting a leadership style geared towards sustainability and responsibility. After retiring, he continued to influence the company as Chairman of the Board, guiding strategic decisions, including a significant joint venture with Sanofi. Clark’s journey at Merck encapsulates a blend of perseverance through adversity and a clear vision for the pharmaceutical industry’s future.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Merck & Co. CEOs

M

Richard T. Clark

Ex-CEO of Merck & Co.

Education

Not specified

Field of Expertise

Healthcare & Life Sciences - Pharmaceuticals

Sector of Economy

Healthcare

Born

October 1, 1946 - 78 years ago

CEO of Merck & Co. for

5 years 7 months (May 2005 - Dec 2010)

Previous Experience

President of Medco Health Solutions

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Richard T. Clark

P

Albert Bourla

CEO of Pfizer

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.79M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$2.26M

Total Holdings

$18.38M

G

Daniel O'Day

CEO of Gilead Sciences

2023 Compensation

Stock

$16.51M

Salary

$1.74M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$1.22M

Total Holdings

$103.20M

C

Joseph K. Belanoff, M.D.

Founder and CEO of Corcept Therapeutics

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.10M

Bonus

$1.32M

Other

$22.50K

Total Holdings

$190.37M

J

Joaquin Duato

CEO of Johnson & Johnson

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.58M

Bonus

$3.65M

Other

$241.99K

Total Holdings

$61.93M

M

Stéphane Bancel

CEO of Moderna

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.58M

Bonus

$1.91M

Other

$1.07M

Total Holdings

$491.74M

B

Christopher Boerner

CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.50M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$311.64K

Total Holdings

$22.05M

Holdings

See how much did Richard T. Clark make over time.

As of 2024, Richard T. Clark's investment strategy included significant holdings in Automatic Data Processing (ADP), where he owned approximately 32,278 shares, valued at nearly $8.9 million. This investment demonstrates a sound understanding of market dynamics and a keen financial...

As of 2024, Richard T. Clark's investment strategy included significant holdings in Automatic Data Processing (ADP), where he owned approximately 32,278 shares, valued at nearly $8.9 million. This investment demonstrates a sound understanding of market dynamics and a keen financial acumen honed over his lengthy career in pharmaceuticals. In recent years, his wealth has seen fluctuations, like the peak of his earnings during his leadership tenure when his total compensation reached over $24 million in 2010, primarily from stocks linked to performance targets. Clark’s holdings reflect a portion of his overall financial strategy that spans beyond just salary, showing a commitment to backing the companies he works for while ensuring his wealth is tied to their performance and future.

Mar 17, 2025

A

shares

ADP @ $296.58

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Richard T. Clark.

ADP

1,502 shares

ADP

Nov 10, 2021

Received

ADP

1,890 shares

ADP

Nov 11, 2020

Received

ADP

1,953 shares

ADP

Nov 12, 2019

Received

ADP

2,188 shares

ADP

Nov 6, 2018

Received

ADP

2,705 shares

ADP

Nov 7, 2017

Received

ADP

3,290 shares

ADP

Nov 8, 2016

Received

ADP

3,220 shares

ADP

Nov 10, 2015

Received

ADP

4,412.86 shares

ADP

Nov 11, 2014

Received

ADP

2,905 shares

ADP

Nov 12, 2013

Received

ADP

3,687 shares

ADP

Nov 13, 2012

Received

Compensation History

See how much did Richard T. Clark make over time.

During his tenure as CEO of Merck & Co., Richard T. Clark’s compensation varied significantly based on company performance. In 2010, he earned a staggering $24.2 million, combining a base salary of $1.86 million with substantial stock awards that vested based on the company's performance. For instance, no bonuses were awarded that year, reflecting a focus on long-term goals tied to earnings per share. The structure of his compensation was designed to motivate performance that aligns closely with shareholder interests and sustainable company growth. Throughout his career, he strategically positioned his total compensation to not only reflect his achievements but also the overall health and trajectory of Merck, showcasing a responsible approach to executive pay.

Year

2010

Total Compensation

$5.97M

Salary

$1.86M

Board Justification

Merck's compensation philosophy aims to align executive pay with company performance, focusing on long-term value creation and retention of top talent.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

No bonus was awarded for the year 2010 as the focus was on long-term performance metrics.

Other

$54.18K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes financial counseling, personal use of company aircraft, company car, and security monitoring reimbursement.

Restricted Stock

$4.06M(112.55K common stock)

Board Justification

The number of shares of Merck common stock that vested in 2010 under the 2008-2010 PSU Award Cycle based on performance against EPS goals.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for the CEO's compensation in 2010 were primarily based on the achievement of EPS goals and overall company performance as reflected in the Company Scorecard.

Other Merck & Co. CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Merck & Co.

Raymond V. Gilmartin

Ex-CEO of Merck & Co.

June 1994 - May 2005

Kenneth C. Frazier

Ex-CEO of Merck & Co.

January 2011 - June 2021