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# Coherent's Proxy Lists CEO Pay At $28.3 Million Against $20,527 For The Median Employee
- URL: https://www.bullished.co/coherents-proxy-lists-ceo-pay-at-28-3-million-against-20-527-for-the-median-employee-5c323b38/
- Published: 2026-10-09T12:15:47.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-09T12:15:47.000Z
- Description: The annual proxy puts executive pay to an advisory vote, with no shareholder proposals on the ballot.
- Author: Matteo Parrino
- Tags: SEC Filings, COHR, Industry: Technology, Topic: Leadership & Governance

Coherent CEO James R. Anderson received [$28,349,672 in total compensation](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000820318/000110465926114847/tm264288-6%5Fdef14a.htm?ref=bullished.co) for fiscal 2026, according to the pay table in the company's annual proxy filing, which lists his title as Chief Executive Officer and President. The median employee earned $20,527, the same filing says.

## What the proxy says about pay

The $20,527 median is the denominator in the company's CEO pay ratio. Against it, Anderson's package is well over 1,000 times the median worker's pay.

Shareholders will cast an advisory, non-binding vote on the pay of the company's named executive officers. The proxy says it believes it has built a ["pay-for-performance executive compensation program"](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000820318/000110465926114847/tm264288-6%5Fdef14a.htm?ref=bullished.co) and urges holders to read the pay discussion before voting.

Abstentions have the effect of a vote against the pay proposal, the proxy states. Broker non-votes, which occur when a broker lacks instructions on a non-routine matter, have no effect on it.

## The ballot and the board's letter

The ballot carries no shareholder proposal. Holders vote on three items: electing Class Three directors to terms expiring in 2029, the pay measure, and ratifying Ernst & Young as auditor for the year ending June 30, 2027.

Board Chair Enrico DiGirolamo's letter, dated October 9, points to fiscal 2026 revenue of $7.12 billion, up 22.5% from the prior year. It also says the company signed a letter of intent for up to $50 million in direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act to expand its 6-inch Indium Phosphide plant in Sherman, Texas.

The pay figure lands after a big run in the shares. Commentary on [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/coherent-stock-rises-8-month-172100274.html?.tsrc=rss&ref=bullished.co) by Shuvra Shankar Dey said the stock had surged 190% over the year through October 7\. Coherent closed at $302.35 at Thursday's close, down 9.63%, before the proxy was filed. Simply Wall St, also on [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/coherent-cohr-photonlink-buzz-case-060745023.html?ref=bullished.co), pointed to the company's AI-optics push, including its PhotonLink platform.

## What to watch

Holders vote on the pay measure at the annual meeting, which the proxy says is expected in November 2027 for next year's cycle. Shareholder proposals for next year's proxy must reach the company's secretary by June 11, 2027.

Next year's deadline for shareholder proposals is June 11, 2027.

### Sources

- [Coherent — DEF 14A (2026-10-09)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000820318/000110465926114847/tm264288-6%5Fdef14a.htm?ref=bullished.co) — SEC EDGAR
- [Coherent Economics, LLC v. Verition Partners Master Fund, Ltd. et al](https://www.law360.com/cases/5c1c186d53053033dd856216?ref=bullished.co) — law360.com
- [Coherent Stock Rises 8% in a Month: Is the Buying Opportunity Intact?](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/coherent-stock-rises-8-month-172100274.html?.tsrc=rss&ref=bullished.co) — Yahoo Finance
- [Coherent (COHR) On PhotonLink Buzz And The Case For An Undervalued AI Optics Story](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/coherent-cohr-photonlink-buzz-case-060745023.html?ref=bullished.co) — Yahoo Finance