Lovett Reaps Big Payday

Former Charter Communications CEO Mike Lovett nearly doubled his total compensation in 2011, raking in $20.5 million in salary, bonuses and stock options, compared to his $10.9 million haul in 2010, according to a proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange.
Lovett announced in October that he would leave Charter after almost two years at the helm. He was replaced by former Cablevision Systems' chief operating officer Tom Rutledge.
According to the proxy statement, Lovett received a $1.3 million base salary (up slightly from $1.24 million in 2010); $16.1 million in stock option awards (up from $3.7 million in 2010); and non-equity compensation of $3.1 million (down from $3.7 million in 2010).
Chief financial officer Christopher Winfrey's total compensation rose 76% in 2011 to $7.4 million from $4.2 million in the previous year. Winfrey was named CFO in November of 2010.
According to the proxy, executive vice president, technology and president commercial services Don Detampel received $7.48 million in total compensation in 2011; Charter Media president James Heneghan received $4.3 million in total compensation and president, operations Steven Apodaca received $4.2 million. Charter did not provide the previous year's compensation figures for those executives.