Call me cynical...
If some how he managed to make the company earn 50x or 100x that minimum by his very presence or leadership qualities, then fair enough. CEO is a job, you work well, make the company earn it's keep you get a nice fat paycheck. Or on the other hand it's more likely the US version of the "old boys club" and CEO's are playing a giant corporate circle-jerk where they just try their hand at whatever position comes up after an old college mate vacates the CEO position! This year you head Coke, next year you head Intel, year after than you run a clothing company, it's the same right, just shout at the top management, who shout at the middle-management who shout at we working schmoes to actually get stuff done!
Biting the hand that feeds IT
