CrowdStrike Exec Total Compensation: George Kurtz Leads With $148M In Fiscal Year 2022

The Austin, Texas-based provider of cloud-delivered cybersecurity saw its revenues hit $1.45 billion in fiscal 2022.

CrowdStrike Holdings Inc.’s revenue isn’t the only thing soaring these days.

The Austin, Texas-based provider of cloud-delivered cybersecurity saw its revenues hit $1.45 billion in fiscal 2022, ending January 31, for a 66 percent increase compared to 2021, according to the company.

It’s just the latest impressive stat for CrowdStrike, whose revenues have increased from $250 million, or by 480 percent, since 2019, the year it went public, according to filings. And CrowdStrike, in guidance issued when it unveiled its fiscal 2022 numbers earlier this year, estimates its revenues could exceed $2 billion this fiscal year.

Along with recent revenue increases, the pay packages for some of CrowdStrike’s top executives have also increased, particularly for CEO George Kurtz and CFO Burt Podbere, both of whom were recipients last fiscal year of lucrative multi-year, performance-based stock awards, according to a recently filed regulatory filing.

In the future, the two executives may not get the same fair-market value assigned to the stock awards as of the end of the company’s fiscal 2022, or Jan. 31, 2022.

After all, stock prices do change, as they have in recent months for CrowdStrike, whose shares were trading earlier this week in the $150 range, down from a 52-week high of $284.30, as investors retreated from tech stocks after interest rates hikes.

Still, Kurtz and Podbere are in line for big paydays as a result of their board-approved stock awards in fiscal 2022.

The following is a roundup of total pay packages for the five highest compensated executives at CrowdStrike in fiscal 2022.

5. Michael Carpenter

Former President, Global Sales and Field Operations

Total FY 2022 compensation: $11.13 million

Total FY 2021 compensation: $13.28 million

Michael Carpenter first joined CrowdStrike in 2016 as president of global sales and field operations. He previously served in a similar position at Tanium, a cybersecurity and systems management company based in Kirkland, Wash. Carpenter stepped down from his position last year soon after the birth of his first child and was kept in an advisory role before officially transitioning out of the company, CrowdStrike has reported.

In fiscal 2022, Carpenter received a salary of $521,096, stock awards worth $10.08 million, non-equity incentive payments of $519,806 and other compensation valued at $7,018, for a total compensation of $11.13 million, down from $13.28 million in fiscal 2021.

4. Colin Black

Former COO

Total FY 2022 compensation: $10.72 million

Total FY 2021 compensation $12.28 million

Colin Black is the former chief operating officer of CrowdStrike, having previously served as chief information officer at the company. Effective Oct. 1, 2021, Black, due to personal health reasons, transitioned from his COO position to a part-time role at CrowdStrike, the company has said in a recent filing.

In fiscal 2022, Black received a salary of $363,562, stock awards worth $10.08 million, non-equity incentive payments of $286,247 and other compensation valued at $4,003, for a total compensation of $10.72 million, down from $12.28 million in fiscal 2021.

3. Shawn Henry

President, CrowdStrike Services and
Chief Security Officer

Total FY 2022 compensation: $12 million

Total FY 2021 compensation: $13.9 million

Shawn Henry joined CrowdStrike in 2012 after retiring from the FBI, where he oversaw half of the bureau’s investigative operations, including all FBI criminal and cyber investigations worldwide, according to company filings. He serves today as president of CrowdStrike services and chief security officer.

In fiscal 2022, he received a salary of $600,000, stock awards worth $10.08 million, non-equity incentive payments of $1.31 million and other compensation valued at $7,331, for a total compensation of $12 million, down from $13.9 million in fiscal 2021.

2. Burt Podbere

Chief Financial Officer

Total FY 2022 compensation: $25.97 million

Total FY 2021 compensation: $12.28 million

Since joining CrowdStrike in 2015, Burt Podbere, CFO of the company, is credited with helping secure approximately $1 billion in equity financing through several funding rounds, including the company’s 2019 IPO.

Podbere was the recipient of a large board-approved, multi-year performance grant in fiscal 2022, ending Jan. 31, 2022. The company stressed in an SEC filing and in a statement to CRN that Podbere must still earn the stock-award compensation via both performance and time-based metrics, but the SEC requires that the grant be recorded in the fiscal year it was granted.

In fiscal 2022, Podbere received a salary of $500,000, stock awards worth $25 million, non-equity incentive payments of $407,794 and other compensation valued at $8,658, for a total compensation of $25.97million, compared to total compensation of $12.28 million in fiscal 2021.

1. George Kurtz

Chief executive officer, president, board director and co-founder

Total FY 2022 compensation: $147.69 million

Total FY 2021 compensation: $20.51 million

George Kurtz has been with CrowdStrike since its founding 11 years ago, as a co-founder and today as president, CEO and director of the fast-growing cybersecurity company.

Like CFO Burt Podbere, Kurtz was the recipient of a board-approved, multi-year performance grant in fiscal 2022, ending Jan. 31, 2022. The company stressed in an SEC filing and in a statement to CRN that Kurtz must still earn the stock-award compensation via both performance and time-based metrics, but the SEC requires that the grant be recorded in the fiscal year it was granted.

In fiscal 2022, Kurtz received a salary of $750,000, stock awards worth $146.12 million, non-equity incentive payments of $815,588 and other compensation valued at $7,118, for a total compensation of $147.69 million, compared to total compensation of $20.51 million in fiscal 2021.