Windstream Top Boss Gets Pay Boost as Other Execs See Decline

By Lindsay Welnick

Following a major acquisition, Windstream Corp.’s top executive made more money last year, while others saw their income drop.

Although CEO Jeffery Gardner’s base pay remained at $992,000, he got an 86 percent increase in stock options in 2011, which rounded his total compensation out at $9.7 million, according to a report by Arkansas Business.

While Gardner saw an increase in his income, which did not include a bonus, other executives saw a decline.

Anthony Thomas, CFO, brought in $1.75 million, an 18 percent drop; Brent Whittington, COO, made $2.47 million, a 22 percent decline; John Fletcher, EVP, general counsel and secretary, made $1.87 million, down 24 percent from last year; and Cynthia Nash, CIO, made $1.06 million, down 26 percent.

Windstream bought PAETEC last year for nearly $900 million.