Randall L. Stephenson
Encyclopedia
Randall L. Stephenson is an American
business executive.
Stephenson replaced Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. as chairman and chief executive officer
of AT&T Inc. in 2007. He was senior executive vice president and chief financial officer
of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, which he joined in 1982. He was elected as a director of AT&T Inc. in June 2005. He also serves as a director of AT&T Mobility and Emerson Electric Co.
He holds a B.S. from the University of Central Oklahoma
and an MBA
from the University of Oklahoma
.
Late 1980s through 1990s — He progresses through a series of leadership positions in finance, including an international assignment in Mexico City.
July 2001 — Stephenson is appointed Chief Financial Officer
for SBC, helping the company reduce its net debt from $30 billion to near zero by early 2004.
2003 to 2004 — Stephenson serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Cingular Wireless
.
April 2004 — Stephenson is named Chief Operating Officer
of SBC.
December 2004 — President Bush
announces his intention to appoint Stephenson to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.
November 2005 — Stephenson continues as COO following SBC's acquisition of AT&T
. He is responsible for all wireless and wireline operations at AT&T
.
April 27, 2007 — AT&T announces Stephenson will succeed Chairman and Chief Executive Edward Whitacre when he retires in June.
In 2010, compensation totaled $20.2 million for 2010, a sum that was unchanged from the previous year which equated to a 6 percent increase over 2009. His cash incentive payment totaled $5.05 million, down 14 percent from the year before. Most of his 2010 compensation was in the form of options and performance-based stock awards valued at $13.2 million, up 10 percent from 2009.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
business executive.
Stephenson replaced Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. as chairman and chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of AT&T Inc. in 2007. He was senior executive vice president and chief financial officer
Chief financial officer
The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, which he joined in 1982. He was elected as a director of AT&T Inc. in June 2005. He also serves as a director of AT&T Mobility and Emerson Electric Co.
He holds a B.S. from the University of Central Oklahoma
University of Central Oklahoma
The University of Central Oklahoma, often referred to as UCO, is a coeducational public university located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The university is the third largest in Oklahoma, with almost 18,000 students and approximately 434 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty...
and an MBA
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
.
Professional Career
1982 — Stephenson begins his career with Southwestern Bell Telephone in the information-technology organization in Oklahoma.Late 1980s through 1990s — He progresses through a series of leadership positions in finance, including an international assignment in Mexico City.
July 2001 — Stephenson is appointed Chief Financial Officer
Chief financial officer
The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
for SBC, helping the company reduce its net debt from $30 billion to near zero by early 2004.
2003 to 2004 — Stephenson serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Cingular Wireless
Cingular Wireless
AT&T Mobility LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T that provides wireless services to 100.7 million subscribers in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands...
.
April 2004 — Stephenson is named Chief Operating Officer
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
of SBC.
December 2004 — President Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
announces his intention to appoint Stephenson to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.
November 2005 — Stephenson continues as COO following SBC's acquisition of AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
. He is responsible for all wireless and wireline operations at AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
.
April 27, 2007 — AT&T announces Stephenson will succeed Chairman and Chief Executive Edward Whitacre when he retires in June.
Compensation
In 2009, Stephenson's compensation as CEO of AT&T totaled $20,240,457, including a base salary of $1,450,000, a cash bonus of $5,850,000, options grants worth $75,834, stock grants worth $11,999,991, and other compensation totaling $864,632.In 2010, compensation totaled $20.2 million for 2010, a sum that was unchanged from the previous year which equated to a 6 percent increase over 2009. His cash incentive payment totaled $5.05 million, down 14 percent from the year before. Most of his 2010 compensation was in the form of options and performance-based stock awards valued at $13.2 million, up 10 percent from 2009.