20 Nonprofit Executives Who Make Big Bucks

Nonprofit Compensation Study

Nonprofits aren't what most would consider lucrative business. However, the leaders of some nonprofits garner six-, even seven-figure salaries. Some of those include CEOs at nonprofits in the technology industry, such as The Computing Technology Industry Association, better known as CompTIA. In 2011, CompTIA CEO Todd Thibodeaux earned $924,550, according to CompTIA's tax returns.

But top officials at other nonprofits in the same category as CompTIA -- 501(c)6 trade or professional associations -- make even more, according to a study by ERI Economic Research Institute, which tracks salary, compensation and cost of living data for private companies and public organizations, including nonprofits. Linda Lampkin, research director, analyzed the 2009 and 2010 CEO compensation of nearly 60 comparable nonprofits with revenue between $50 million and $100 million. The following is a list of the top 20 highest-paid executives in her analysis. Some of the organizations are well-known, others not so much. And one in particular you wouldn't peg as a nonprofit.

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Steve Largent, CTIA -- The Wireless Association

As president and CEO of CTIA -- The Wireless Association, Largent earned $1.12 million in 2010. That year, the association reported revenue of about $58 million. Largent has served as the group's president and CEO for nearly 10 years. He has a colorful resume: Largent was a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks for 14 years and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. Before joining CTIA, he was an Oklahoma congressman.

James Greenwood, Biotechnology Industry Organization

Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), made almost $1.16 million in 2010, when BIO's revenue was $61 million, according to ERI Economic Research Institute records. BIO says it's the world's largest biotechnology trade association with more than 1,100 members worldwide. "It is our mission to be the champion of biotechnology," the group says on its website. BIO members are involved in research and development of biotechnology products.

Laurence G. O'Neil, Society For Human Resource Management

In 2010, O'Neil earned $1.2 million as president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), when the nonprofit reported $93.7 million in revenue. SHRM bills itself as the world's largest association devoted to human resource management with 260,000 members in more than 140 countries. O'Neil has since left the group.

Edward L. Yingling, American Bankers Association

Yingling, the former president and CEO of the American Bankers Association (ABA), made $1.25 million in 2010 when he held the post. The ABA reported revenue of $80.6 million that year, according to the ERI Economic Research Institute. The ABA represents banks of all sizes and advocates on behalf of the nation's banking industry. The ABA was founded in 1875.

Gary Shapiro, Consumer Electronics Association

As president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, Shapiro earned almost $1.3 million in 2010, when CEA reported $60.7 million in revenue. CEA, which represents more than 2,000 consumer-electronics companies, is well-known for producing the annual International CES trade show where vendors show off their new gadgets.

Gerald Howard, National Association Of Home Builders Of The United States

In 2010, Howard made $1.36 million as CEO of the National Association of Home Builders of the United States, a federation of more than 800 state and local associations focused on promoting the housing and building industry. That year, the NAHB, which dates back to 1942, reported revenue of $68.5 million, according to ERI Economic Research Institute records.

Bruce Davis, Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences

As executive director for the film group that bestows gold statues on giddy movie stars, Davis made $1.37 million in 2010; the academy reported $86.8 million in revenue that year. He stepped down in 2011 after 22 years overseeing the academy's daily operations. The annual Oscar ceremony is the academy's signature event. The group's other activities include film preservation.

Michael Kercheval, International Council Of Shopping Centers

International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) President and CEO Kercheval earned $1.37 million in 2010, according to ERI Economic Research Institute's analysis. That year, ICSC reported $56 million in revenue. The trade association of the shopping center industry was founded in 1957 and counts nearly 60,000 members in more than 90 countries. Members include shopping center owners, developers, managers, investors, retailers and public officials.

Karen Ignagni, America's Health Insurance Plans

Ignagni, America's Health Insurance Plans president and CEO, earned $1.5 million in 2010, when the nonprofit reported $95 million in revenue. AHIP is a national trade association representing the health insurance industry.

Edward T. Reilly, American Management Association International

The president and CEO of American Management Association International, Reilly made $1.5 million in 2010, according to ERI Economic Research Institute. The AMA reported revenue of $87.8 million that year. The association touts itself as the world's leading professional development nonprofit. As a research and publishing organization, AMA offers management education seminars and publishes newsletters, research papers and a quarterly management journal.

Daniel A. Mica, Credit Union National Association

As president of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), Mica earned $1.6 million in 2010; the organization reported $52.4 million in revenue. CUNA is a national trade association for credit unions in the U.S., providing them with public relations, business development and other services. Mica left CUNA at the end of 2010.

William Daly, National Hockey League

As deputy commissioner of the NHL, Daly made $1.8 million in 2009. That's a healthy sum but far less than NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. The NHL has 501(c)6 status.

Dawn M. Sweeney, National Restaurant Association

Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, earned $1.8 million in 2010, when the association posted $56.5 million in revenue. The National Restaurant Association bills itself as the largest food service trade association in the world by membership, supporting about 500,000 restaurant businesses. The group advocates for the food service industry to government policymakers.

Kyle McSlarrow, National Cable & Telecommunications Association

McSlarrow made $2.2 million as president and CEO of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) in 2010; the organization reported revenue of $66 million. NCTA says it's the principal trade association of the cable industry in the U.S. McSlarrow left the association in 2011 for cable giant Comcast.

Richard R. Green, Cable Television Labs

When he was president and CEO of Cable Television Labs (CableLabs) in 2009, Green made $2.2 million and CableLabs recorded revenue of $60 million. Green, who resigned from CableLabs at the end of 2009, was elected to the Cable Hall of Fame in 2008. Cable companies founded CableLabs in 1988 as a research and development organization focused on new cable telecommunications technologies.

Adam Helfant, ATP Tour Inc.

According to the Economic Research Institute, Helfant -- chairman and president of the ATP Tour -- earned $2.3 million in 2010 while ATP made $65.3 million in revenue. The ATP is the governing body of men's professional tennis circuits. Helfant left ATP at the end of 2011.

Paul Schott Stevens, Investment Company Institute

Stevens, president and CEO of the Investment Company Institute, made $2.5 million in 2009, when the ICI recorded revenue of $51.4 million, according to ERI Economic Research Institute. ICI is a national association of U.S. investment companies, including mutual funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds and unit investment trusts. Stevens, who is also a director of ICI Mutual Insurance Co., has served as ICI's president and CEO since 2004.

T. Timothy Ryan, Securities Industry And Financial Markets Association

According to ERI Economic Research Institute records, Ryan, former president and CEO of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), made $2.9 million in 2009. That year, SIFMA reported revenue of $65 million. Despite that handsome compensation, Ryan recently stepped down from SIFMA, where he had served as its CEO since 2008. SIFMA represents the interests of hundreds of securities firms, banks and asset managers.

Thomas R. Kuhn, Edison Electric Institute

Kuhn, president of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), raked in a little more than $3 million in 2010, when the EEI reported almost $82 million in revenue. According to the organization's website, EEI is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies. Founded in 1933, EEI works to advocate for its members in legislative and regulatory arenas.

Gary Bettman, National Hockey League

NHL Commissioner Bettman earned a whopping $6.6 million in 2009 while the NHL posted $91.4 million in revenue, according to ERI Economic Research Institute's analysis. While Bettman earns the big bucks, he's scorned by fans who boo him every chance they get, especially when he hands out the Stanley Cup at the end of the playoffs. During Bettman's 20-year tenure, there have been two prolonged lockouts with the players' union, including in 2005 when all games were canceled.