Figure this is a good place and time to remind us all about this guy, the former Tribune Co. CEO:
Tribune’s FitzSimons Resigns As Zell Takeover Nears; Funding Not Yet Finalized
By David Kaplan - Wed 19 Dec 2007 10:24 AM PST
Tribune Company Chairman and CEO Dennis FitzSimons is expected to resign as early as today, according to the company’s LAT. The Chicago Tribune reports that the timing depends on the funding, which is going down to the wire. Lots more in extended entry…
FitzSimons’ departure is not a surprise, as the company prepares to go private under new chairman Sam Zell by the end of this week. After 25 years at Tribune, FitzSimons could leave with $40 million, depending the timing of his exit. His severance package could reach $10.7 million, with stock options and restricted stock worth $6.9 million. FitzSimons could also receive a $4 million payment to cover his taxes on the rest of the package. FitzSimons, who became CEO in 2003 and chairman in 2004, also owned 498,202 shares as of March 31, worth $16.9 million at the price of $34 a share under the Zell buyout.