MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Various media reports first shed light on the now controversial compensation of Valley Children's CEO Todd Suntrapak back in March. Tax documents revealed that his total pay more than doubled from $2.
1 million in 2019 to $5.5 million in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. RELATED: Valley Children's CEO pay draws criticism from Fresno City Council members I sat down with Suntrapak for an interview addressing the criticism swirling around his compensation.
I asked why his pay more than doubled from 2019 to 2020. "I'll start by saying I'm really proud of this team," responded Suntrapak. "And I'm proud of the work that we've done, and I'm proud of the work that I've done as CEO and leader.
" He added, "I don't choose what my compensation is. Our board determines what the appropriate compensation is for the CEO, and they rely upon external experts to advise them, and to do quite a bit of analysis, then they make a determination. " The following year, in 2021, Suntrapak earned $5.
1 million in total compensation, which included $1.7 million in base pay. Due to a change in the hospital's bonus schedule, Suntrapak says he received two bonuses that year totaling $3.
4 million. Suntrapak also received a hefty incentive that year - a $5 million forgivable loan, which he used to purchase a $6.5 million home in Carmel.
"There is a portion of the loan that is forgiven every year, which I am taxed on showed up on my W2's and the term is 10 years," Suntrapak ex.
