Darren Grasby
ADVANCED MICRO DEVICESAbout Darren Grasby
Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer (CSO) at AMD since January 2025; age 55; joined AMD in 2007 with nearly three decades in PC, graphics and peripherals sales, previously leading EMEA and global channels and global computing/graphics sales . As CSO, he leads worldwide sales across data center, commercial, consumer and embedded markets . AMD delivered record Q3 2025 revenue of $9.2B, up 36% year over year, with strong demand for EPYC, Ryzen and Instinct accelerators . In 2023, AMD revenue was $22.7B (-4% YoY) with Data Center +7% to $6.5B and Embedded +17% to $5.3B; AMD notes multi-year stock outperformance vs peer indices over 3- and 5-year periods .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Years | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMD | EVP, Chief Sales Officer | Jan 2025–present | Leads global sales across end-to-end portfolio (data center, commercial, consumer, embedded) |
| AMD | EVP, Strategic Partnerships; President EMEA | 2023–2024 | Managed key global customer relationships; regional leadership |
| AMD | SVP, Global Computing & Graphics Sales | Jul 2018–Jan 2019 | Drove adoption of Ryzen, Radeon and EPYC globally |
| AMD | President EMEA & Global Channel Sales | Oct 2015–Jul 2018 | Led EMEA region and worldwide channels |
| AMD | Corporate VP, Global Sales & GM EMEA | Nov 2014–Oct 2015 | Regional GM and global sales leadership |
| AMD | Corporate VP & GM EMEA | Aug 2007–Nov 2014 | Built AMD’s EMEA presence and routes to market |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Years | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneurial ventures | Founder/operator (computer manufacturing, supply chain, global distribution; development of graphics brands like ATI) | Pre-2007 | Built brands, supply chains and distribution capabilities prior to AMD tenure |
Fixed Compensation
- Base salary, target bonus, actual bonus: Not specifically disclosed for Darren Grasby in available filings. AMD’s EIP bonuses were disclosed for certain executives for FY2024 (e.g., CEO and others), but not for Grasby .
- Stock ownership guidelines for Named Executive Officers: CEO 6x salary; other NEOs 3x salary; retain ≥10% of net shares until compliance by the “Ownership Achievement Date” (later of Aug 7, 2025 or five years from executive appointment) .
Performance Compensation
PRSU Awards (Performance Stock Units)
| Award | Grant/Performance Period | Metrics | Target Shares | Payout Range | Settlement/Vest Timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRSU (footnote 4/5) | Aug 9, 2022–Aug 9, 2025 | Relative TSR vs S&P 500; absolute AMD TSR; FY2024 non-GAAP EPS vs FY2022 target non-GAAP EPS | 34,758 | 0–250% of target; EPS add-on conditions as described | Later of Aug 15, 2025 or post-committee certification; requires continued employment |
| PRSU (footnote 6/7) | Aug 9, 2023–Aug 9, 2026 | Relative TSR vs S&P 500; absolute AMD TSR; FY2025 non-GAAP EPS vs FY2023 non-GAAP EPS | 17,618 | 0–200% of target; EPS add-on (0/25/50%) | Later of Aug 15, 2026 or certification; continued employment |
| PRSU (footnote 8/9) | Aug 9, 2024–Aug 9, 2027 | Relative TSR vs S&P 500; absolute AMD TSR; FY2025 non-GAAP EPS vs FY2024 non-GAAP EPS | 15,543 | 0–200% of target | Later of Aug 15, 2027 or certification; continued employment |
| PRSU (footnote 10) | Feb 8, 2025–Feb 8, 2028 | Pre-established stock price milestones | 21,253 | 0–200% of target | Settlement generally by Feb 15, 2028; or on change in control terms |
RSU Awards (Time-based)
| Award | Shares | Vesting Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| RSU (footnote 11) | 8,690 | 1/4 on each of Aug 9, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 |
| RSU (footnote 13) | 17,618 | 1/2 on Aug 9, 2024 and Aug 9, 2025 |
| RSU (footnote 14) | 5,181 | 1/4 on each of Aug 9, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 |
| RSU (footnote 15) | 21,253 | 1/3 on each of Feb 15, 2026, 2027, 2028 |
Stock Options
| Title | Shares | Strike | Expiration | Vesting Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Option (1) | 24,376 | $107.58 | Aug 9, 2028 | 1/3 on each of Aug 9, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| Stock Option (2) | 37,439 | $95.54 | Aug 9, 2029 | 1/4 on each of Aug 9, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 |
| Stock Option (3) | 10,172 | $134.27 | Aug 9, 2031 | 1/4 on each of Aug 9, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 |
Equity Ownership & Alignment
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Common shares beneficially owned (direct) | 123,180 shares |
| Ownership as % of shares outstanding | ~0.0076% based on 1,628,041,540 shares outstanding as of Oct 30, 2025 |
| Derivatives (options) | 24,376 @ $107.58; 37,439 @ $95.54; 10,172 @ $134.27, with vest schedules/expirations noted above |
| Unvested performance equity | PRSUs totaling 34,758; 17,618; 15,543; 21,253 tied to TSR/EPS and stock-price milestones |
| Unvested time-based equity | RSUs totaling 8,690; 17,618; 5,181; 21,253 with scheduled vest dates through 2028 |
| Hedging/pledging | AMD prohibits hedging and has not granted pledging approvals; none of NEOs or Directors have pledged shares |
Stock ownership guidelines for executives require substantial holdings (CEO 6x salary, others 3x) with retention of ≥10% net shares until compliance by the Ownership Achievement Date .
Employment Terms
- Change-of-control: Double-trigger; cash severance capped at 2x salary + target bonus plus prorated target bonus for year of termination; no excise tax gross-ups .
- Clawback: Nasdaq-compliant clawback policy for incentive compensation on restatement; additional recoupment provisions for misconduct, competition/solicitation breaches, and specified workplace violations for senior awards .
- Minimum vesting: At least 95% of equity awards have minimum one-year vesting (limited exceptions) .
- Anti-hedging/pledging: Prohibited without rare pre-approval; none granted/none pledged .
Performance & Track Record
| Period | Selected Performance Context |
|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | Record revenue $9.2B; gross margin 52%; diluted EPS $0.75; broad demand for EPYC, Ryzen, Instinct; no MI308 China revenue included |
| FY 2023 | Revenue $22.7B (-4% YoY); Data Center $6.5B (+7%); Embedded $5.3B (+17%); AMD notes stock outperformance vs SOX over 3- and 5-year periods |
Governance & Compensation Committee Oversight
- Compensation and Leadership Resources Committee (independent directors) oversees executive compensation design, retention, succession, talent and risk; retains Compensia as independent consultant; current composition (as of 2025 proxy) includes Gregoire (Chair), Durcan, Talwalkar, Vanderslice .
Investment Implications
- Strong alignment: Significant mix of PRSUs linked to relative TSR, absolute TSR and EPS growth with multi-year performance windows (2025–2028); additional stock-price milestone PRSUs suggest emphasis on market value creation .
- Vesting and potential selling pressure: RSU/PRSU settlements clustered around Aug 15, 2025/2026/2027 and Feb 15, 2026–2028, plus quarterly option vesting through 2028–2029 may create episodic liquidity events; monitor filings around these dates for Form 4 activity .
- Retention risk mitigants: Multi-year performance equity, minimum vesting, robust stock ownership guidelines, clawback, and double-trigger/coC caps collectively reduce misalignment and short-termism risk .
- Sales execution signal: Public role in major product launches (e.g., RDNA 4/Radeon RX 9000 series) underscores customer engagement focus under CSO leadership; aligns with AMD’s go-to-market investment ramp noted in 2025 filings .