Today's episode of "Executive Compensation in Winston-Salem" focuses on the company that at one time employed both my parents when they were students at Wake Forest.  It's the company that pops to mind when people think of business in Winston-Salem.  Why yes, it's Reynolds American Inc., and I have to tell you that what the execs at Reynolds are paid makes the folks I've already profiled at WFUBMC and Novant look like they're in the minor leagues.

My source for this information is the most recent proxy statement posted on Reynolds' website.  If you've never looked at one of these you should check it out: they spend page after page explaining their rationale for executive compensation.  It's really kind of overwhelming.  The numbers listed for each executive are for 2007.

Susan Ivey, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of Reynolds American Inc..  She was paid a salary of $1,190,350, granted stock awards of $3,114,421, received non-equity incentive plan compensation of $4,243,000, pension value and non-qualified deferred compensation earnings of $688,848 and all other compensation of $231,241.  Total: $9,467,860

Dianne Neal, Executive VP and CFO of Reynolds American Inc.  She was
paid a salary of $553,250, granted stock awards of $926,711,
received non-equity incentive plan compensation of $1,340,325, pension
value and non-qualified deferred compensation earnings of $120,231 and
all other compensation of $341,593.  Total: $3,282,110

Daniel Delen, President and CEO of RJR Tobacco.  He was
paid a salary of $760,000 and a bonus of  $125,000, granted stock awards of $1,743,949,
received non-equity incentive plan compensation of $658,000 and
all other compensation of $212,532.  Total: $3,499,481

Jeffrey Eckmann, RAI Group President.  He was
paid a salary of $629,250, granted stock awards of $985,602,
received non-equity incentive plan compensation of $1,401,325, pension
value and non-qualified deferred compensation earnings of $887,663 and
all other compensation of $269,821.  Total: $4,173,661

Tommy Payne, Executive VP – Public Affairs of Reynolds American Inc.  He was
paid a salary of $383,725, granted stock awards of $493,984,
received non-equity incentive plan compensation of $730,064, pension
value and non-qualified deferred compensation earnings of $43,139 and
all other compensation of $227,425.  Total: $1,878,337