Matthew Tsien
CUMMINSAbout Matthew Tsien
Independent director elected to the Cummins Inc. (CMI) Board on July 14, 2025; serves until the next annual meeting . Brings >40 years of automotive leadership including Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at General Motors, President of GM Ventures, and President of GM China; holds degrees from Kettering (BS) and master’s degrees from Stanford and MIT . Age 64 in 2025 (as disclosed in AGCO’s 2025 proxy) .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Motors | Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer | 2020–2021 | Led future tech initiatives; accelerated electrification investments |
| General Motors | President, GM Ventures | 2020–2021 | Oversaw venture investments; fostered innovation |
| General Motors | President, GM China | 2014–2020 | Ran China operations; global leadership experience |
| General Motors/SAIC-GM-Wuling | Executive VP, SAIC-GM-Wuling; prior CTO/Director roles in China | 1995–2011 | Electrification, connectivity, global tech roles |
External Roles
| Company | Role | Since | Board Committees |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGCO Corporation | Director | Jan 2021 | Audit; Talent & Compensation |
| Magna International | Director | May 2023 | Talent Oversight & Compensation; Technology |
Board Governance (CMI)
- Independence: Board determined Mr. Tsien is independent under NYSE and SEC rules .
- CMI committee assignments: Audit; Governance & Nominating; Safety, Environment & Technology . These committees oversee financial reporting/internal controls (Audit), board composition and evaluation (Governance), and safety, sustainability and tech strategy (SET) .
- Term and meeting practice: Elected to serve until the next annual meeting; CMI requires director nominees to attend the annual meeting and maintains robust evaluation/engagement processes for board effectiveness .
Fixed Compensation (CMI – Non‑Employee Directors)
| Element | Amount / Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cash retainer | $140,000 | Standard board retainer |
| Annual equity (common stock) | $175,000 | Granted in CMI common stock; shares calculated from 20‑day average price on grant date |
| Lead Director fee | $35,000 (cash) | Additional retainer |
| Committee chair fees | $25,000 (Audit, TMCC); $15,000 (Finance, Governance & Nominating, SET) | Additional retainers per committee chaired |
| Deferred Compensation Plan | Available | Directors may elect to defer cash/stock; paid per plan elections; includes legacy crediting options |
| Program participation | Standard | Tsien will participate in CMI’s standard non‑employee director compensation program |
Performance Compensation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Director equity metrics | None; non‑employee directors receive fixed-value common stock awards (not performance-based) |
| Company incentive metrics (context) | CMI identifies EBITDA, ROIC, and Operating Cash Flow as “most important” measures for executive incentive plans; directors are not subject to these performance metrics |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Company | Sector Intersection with CMI | Committee Roles | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGCO | Agricultural equipment; potential ecosystem adjacency to CMI power solutions | Audit; Talent & Compensation | Monitor for any transactions requiring recusal; CMI requires directors be free of conflicts |
| Magna International | Automotive supplier; technology and electrification focus complementary to CMI | Talent Oversight & Compensation; Technology | Technology expertise aligns with CMI SET oversight; conflict policies apply |
Expertise & Qualifications
- Deep technical and engineering leadership (GM CTO; electrification and connectivity track record) supporting SET committee oversight and Destination Zero strategy .
- Global operations leadership (GM China President) adding international perspective across Audit and Governance & Nominating responsibilities .
- Academic credentials in engineering from Kettering, Stanford, and MIT reinforce board technology competency .
Equity Ownership
| Item | Status / Requirement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial beneficial ownership (CMI) | 0 shares | SEC Form 3 filed 07/15/2025 indicates “No securities are beneficially owned.” |
| Director ownership guideline | 3× annual total retainer | Non‑employee directors must own shares equal to 3× retainer within six years of joining the Board; sales restricted until guideline met |
| Hedging/pledging policy | Prohibited | Directors/officers may not hedge or pledge CMI stock |
Insider Filings (CMI)
| Filing | Date | Key Disclosure |
|---|---|---|
| Form 3 (Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership) | July 15, 2025 | Reports role as Director; states “No securities are beneficially owned.” |
Governance Assessment
- Strengths: Independent status; audit committee service enhances financial oversight; SET and Governance roles match his electrification and global leadership background; external board experience at AGCO and Magna adds sector insights .
- Alignment: Director stock awards and 3× ownership guideline drive long-term alignment; initial zero ownership is common at appointment with six years to comply; hedging/pledging barred, which supports investor alignment .
- Potential conflicts: Concurrent directorships in adjacent industries warrant routine monitoring for related-party exposure; CMI’s governance principles require directors be free of conflicts and the Board applies NYSE/SEC independence standards .
- Capacity/engagement: CMI limits external board memberships and requires meaningful engagement and attendance; while Tsien’s CMI attendance has not yet been disclosed, Board practices require 75%+ meeting attendance and annual evaluations .
Overall, Tsien’s audit/technology credentials and global operating experience enhance board effectiveness for CMI’s decarbonization and technology oversight, with standard guardrails (independence, ownership, anti-hedging) mitigating typical governance risks .