Steven L. Watson is a notable figure in the business world, known for his leadership as the CEO of Valhi, Inc. from 2002 until 2016 and for his role at Kronos Worldwide from 2009 to 2014. Born in 1960, he...

Steven L. Watson is a notable figure in the business world, known for his leadership as the CEO of Valhi, Inc. from 2002 until 2016 and for his role at Kronos Worldwide from 2009 to 2014. Born in 1960, he has built an impressive career in management without diving deep into formal education details. Watched by investors, his compensation varied, often tied closely to the performance of the companies he led. In 2016, he earned a total of approximately $1.4 million, primarily from salary and vested stock. Interestingly, he received no bonuses during his leadership, emphasizing a conservative approach to executive pay. From 2005 to 2016, his total compensation fluctuated, sometimes exceeding $2 million, showing how performance impacted earnings. This straightforward approach catches attention as it reflects a focus on long-term growth rather than quick, risky payouts. Watson's experience points to a solid understanding of managing complex business environments while adhering to profit-driven philosophies.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Kronos Worldwide CEOs

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Steven L. Watson

Ex-CEO of Kronos Worldwide

Education

Not specified

Field of Expertise

Business & Management

Sector of Economy

Basic Materials

Born

January 1, 1960 - 65 years ago

CEO of Kronos Worldwide for

4 years 11 months (Feb 2009 - Feb 2014)

Previous Experience

Chief Executive Officer of Valhi, Inc. and Titanium Metals Corporation

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Steven L. Watson

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John Srivisal

CEO of Tronox

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$550.00K

Bonus

$231.00K

Other

$0.00

Total Holdings

$1.07M

Holdings

See how much did Steven L. Watson make over time.

Steven L. Watson's investment portfolio paints an interesting picture of his wealth tied to the companies he has led. At various times, he held significant stakes in Valhi, Inc. and Kronos Worldwide. For instance, his holdings in Valhi, which he...

Steven L. Watson's investment portfolio paints an interesting picture of his wealth tied to the companies he has led. At various times, he held significant stakes in Valhi, Inc. and Kronos Worldwide. For instance, his holdings in Valhi, which he managed from 2002 until 2016, were particularly remarkable, often peaking at over $2.5 million in total compensation around 2014. His wealth fluctuated considerably with the stock prices of these companies. In recent years, Watson's stock holdings seem to reflect a more stable investment strategy. This highlights a careful balancing act between risk and reward, showing how executive fortunes can ebb and flow with their company’s performance and market conditions. His approach displays a commitment to long-term success rather than chasing quick gains, which resonates in his long tenure at these companies.

Mar 17, 2025

C

shares

CIX @ $22.16

K

shares

KRO @ $7.80

N

shares

NL @ $7.95

V

shares

VHI @ $17.93

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Steven L. Watson.

VHI

2,000 shares

VHI

May 26, 2016

Received

VHI

2,000 shares

VHI

May 26, 2016

Received

CIX

1,000 shares

CIX

May 25, 2016

Received

CIX

1,000 shares

CIX

May 25, 2016

Received

NL

2,000 shares

NL

May 19, 2016

Received

NL

2,000 shares

NL

May 19, 2016

Received

KRO

1,500 shares

KRO

May 18, 2016

Received

KRO

1,500 shares

KRO

May 18, 2016

Received

KRO

$24.70K

KRO at $4.12/share

Jan 26, 2016

Purchase

KRO

$139.23K

KRO at $4.08/share

Jan 22, 2016

Purchase

Compensation History

See how much did Steven L. Watson make over time.

Steven L. Watson’s compensation tells a clear story of a conservative and performance-based approach. Throughout his tenure as CEO of Valhi, Inc. and Kronos Worldwide, Watson's earnings were heavily focused on salary, without relying on bonuses or lavish perks. For instance, in 2016, his total reported income stood at approximately $1.4 million, marking a period where he opted for direct compensation rather than complex stock options or grants. His consistency in this regard allowed for transparency, appealing to investors interested in long-term growth. Moreover, his pay structure illustrates a strategy aimed at retaining leadership talent while carefully balancing executive incentives with company performance. Over the years, while his total compensation varied, it generally remained aligned with a straightforward management style that prioritized stakeholder value over personal gain.

Year

2016

Total Compensation

$1.41M

Salary

$929.30K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy is aligned with the long-term interests of stockholders, focusing on performance and retention without excessive risk-taking.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

No bonuses were guaranteed; bonuses are determined on a discretionary basis.

Other

$473.70K

Board Justification

This amount includes the portion of the 2016 ISA fees paid pursuant to the intercorporate services agreement with Contran for non-director services.

Restricted Stock

$8.42K(1.5K common stock)

Board Justification

1,500 shares of common stock granted on May 18, 2016, fully vested on grant date.

Performance Metrics

Compensation is determined based on discretionary evaluations rather than fixed performance metrics.

Other Kronos Worldwide CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Kronos Worldwide

Bobby D. O'Brien

Ex-CEO of Kronos Worldwide

February 2014 - May 2016