William W. Lovette has been steering Pilgrim's Pride Corporation as CEO since January 2011. He is a veteran in the food industry, with over 30 years of experience under his belt. Before joining Pilgrim's Pride, Lovette held key positions at...

William W. Lovette has been steering Pilgrim's Pride Corporation as CEO since January 2011. He is a veteran in the food industry, with over 30 years of experience under his belt. Before joining Pilgrim's Pride, Lovette held key positions at Tyson Foods, where he was responsible for its international and foodservice sectors. His deep knowledge in food production shaped strategies that drove the company’s growth and efficiency. In 2017, his performance-based compensation reached over $3.89 million, highlighting his alignment with the company’s success. An interesting feature of Lovette’s financial strategy is his participation in a Deferred Compensation Plan, allowing him to set aside a significant portion of his salary for future benefits. Under his leadership, Pilgrim’s Pride has shown resilience, notably during tough economic conditions, adapting to market shifts and challenges. He also made notable insider stock trades, reflecting his confidence in the company's future. Lovette stepped down in February 2017, but his impact on the company and the industry remains evident. His approach combines hands-on industry experience with strategic foresight, ensuring Pilgrim's Pride stays competitive and is well-positioned for the future.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Pilgrim's Pride Corporation CEOs

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William W. Lovette

Ex-CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

Education

Not specified

Field of Expertise

Consumer Goods & Retail - Food Industry

Sector of Economy

Consumer Defensive

CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation for

6 years 1 month (Jan 2011 - Feb 2017)

Previous Experience

President & Chief Operating Officer for Case Foods, Inc.; 25 years with Tyson Foods in various senior management roles, including President of its International Business Unit and President of its Foodservice Business Unit.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of William W. Lovette

Holdings

See how much did William W. Lovette make over time.

William W. Lovette's stock movements at Pilgrim's Pride tell an interesting story. He held significant shares, with the value fluctuating over time. In 2019, his holdings peaked at about $15.40 million before gradually decreasing, indicating market variations and personal investment...

William W. Lovette's stock movements at Pilgrim's Pride tell an interesting story. He held significant shares, with the value fluctuating over time. In 2019, his holdings peaked at about $15.40 million before gradually decreasing, indicating market variations and personal investment decisions. By 2020, his stock value dipped to around $9.53 million, showcasing his awareness of market conditions. These fluctuations reflect Lovette's strategic investments aimed to align with the company's growth. His active participation suggested a strong belief in Pilgrim's future, contributing to his financial strategy. While he sold high and bought low, Lovette consistently demonstrated commitment to judicious management of his shares. As of his retirement in 2017, his financial dealings positioned him favorably, indicating a keen sense of market timing and shareholder interests.

Mar 11, 2025

P

shares

PPC @ $53.95

Total Stock Sold

$9.71M

PPC

$9.71M

404,873 PPC shares

What if they kept their stock?

If William W. Lovette didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra PPC404,873 shares worth $7.78M.
This is -19.92% and $1.94M less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of William W. Lovette.

PPC

55,198 shares

PPC

Dec 29, 2019

Sale

PPC

$1.75M

PPC at $20.30/share

Feb 20, 2019

Sale

PPC

67,944 shares

PPC

Dec 29, 2019

Received

PPC

$2.54M

PPC at $25.36/share

Feb 27, 2018

Sale

PPC

200,000 shares

PPC

Feb 14, 2018

Received

PPC

$998.13K

PPC at $20.66/share

Feb 17, 2017

Sale

PPC

62,010 shares

PPC

Feb 20, 2015

Received

PPC

$2.50M

PPC at $27.56/share

Feb 20, 2015

Sale

PPC

$734.72K

PPC at $30.30/share

Nov 4, 2014

Sale

PPC

200,000 shares

PPC

Jan 14, 2011

Received

Compensation History

See how much did William W. Lovette make over time.

In 2017, Lovette's total compensation hit $3.89 million, significant for a CEO in the food industry. His pay structure included a base salary of around $1 million, topped off with a whopping cash bonus of approximately $2.89 million, awarded based on performance criteria like PBT Margin. This focus on performance means he was rewarded when the company did well, aligning his interests with the company’s success. Notably, no stock options were granted to him, highlighting a straightforward compensation approach without complex equity arrangements. He also received various perks commonly available to senior executives, emphasizing the company’s commitment to retaining top talent. Lovette's compensation model is designed to attract and keep high-level management while pushing for solid performance outcomes.

Year

2017

Total Compensation

$3.90M

Salary

$1.00M

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy emphasizes performance-based pay, aligning executive compensation with company performance and market competitiveness.

Bonus

$2.90M

Board Justification

Cash bonus awarded under the Short-Term Management Incentive Plan (STIP) based on performance metrics for 2017, specifically the PBT Margin.

Other

$4.07K

Board Justification

Includes group term life insurance, long-term disability premium reimbursement, and cell phone stipend.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 RSU)

Board Justification

No stock awards vested in 2017 as the performance conditions were not fully achieved under the 2017 Long Term Incentive Program.

Performance Metrics

The primary performance metric for the cash bonus was the PBT Margin, which was set at various thresholds with corresponding bonus amounts.

Other Pilgrim's Pride Corporation CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

Don Jackson

Ex-CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

December 2008 - January 2011

Jayson Penn

Ex-CEO of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

February 2017 - September 2020