Charles Liang
Also at Super Micro Computer Inc
About
Charles Liang is the founder and long-standing leader of Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI), having established the company in September 1993. Over the past three decades, he has played a pivotal role in the development of server and storage system architectures and technologies, demonstrating deep technical expertise and innovation.
Prior to founding SMCI, he gained extensive industry experience through his roles as President and Chief Design Engineer at Micro Center Computer Inc. and as Senior Design Engineer and Project Leader at Chips & Technologies, Inc. and Suntek Information International Group. His engineering background laid a strong foundation for his success in leading SMCI.
Throughout his career, his ability to drive technological advancement has been recognized through the granting of 23 U.S. patents in server technology. His strategic vision and continuous commitment to excellence have cemented his reputation as a key figure in the technology industry.
Beyond his technical accomplishments, his leadership at SMCI reflects a deep understanding of the evolving demands of the market, making him a respected voice in the development and growth of innovative computing solutions.
$SMCI Performance Under Charles Liang
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Date Range | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro Center Computer Inc. | President and Chief Design Engineer | July 1991 to August 1993 | High-end motherboard design and manufacturing company |
| Chips & Technologies, Inc. | Senior Design Engineer and Project Leader | January 1988 to April 1991 | Chipset technology company |
| Suntek Information International Group | Senior Design Engineer and Project Leader | Overlapping with his time at Chips & Technologies, Inc. | System and software development company |
Fixed Compensation
| Component Name | Amount | Payment Schedule | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $1 | FY 2024 | Fixed annual salary |
| Bonus | $0 | FY 2024 | No bonus awarded |
| All Other Compensation | $250 | FY 2024 | Gift card provided to Charles Liang |
Performance Compensation
2021 CEO Performance Award
| Metric (unit [scale]) | Target / Threshold / Actual Result |
|---|---|
| Revenue Milestones | $4.0B, $4.8B, $5.8B, $6.8B, $8.0B (final milestone achieved during FY 2024) |
| Stock Price Milestones | $4.50, $6.00, $7.50, $9.50, $12.00 (final milestone achieved on May 30, 2023) |
| Vesting Tranches | 5 tranches of 2,000,000 shares each (final tranche vested in February 2024) |
| Evaluation Period | Revenue goals by June 30, 2026; Stock price goals by September 30, 2026 |
| Grant Details | Granted on March 2, 2021; Award size of 10,000,000 stock options; Exercise price $4.50 per share (32% premium) |
2023 CEO Performance Award
| Metric (unit [scale]) | Target / Threshold / Actual Result |
|---|---|
| Revenue Goals | Minimum of $13.0B (achieved in FY 2024); Additional targets: $15.0B, $17.0B, $19.0B, $21.0B (not yet achieved) |
| Stock Price Goals | $45.00, $60.00, $75.00, $90.00 achieved in FY 2024; $110.00 not yet achieved |
| Vesting Tranches | 5 tranches of 1,000,000 shares each; vesting occurs when both the corresponding revenue and stock price targets are met |
| Evaluation Period | Revenue goals by December 31, 2028; Stock price goals by March 31, 2029 |
| Grant Details | Granted on November 14, 2023; Grant Date Fair Value $28,094,976 ; Grant Date Stock Price $29.39 ; Exercise Price $45.00 (53% premium) |
| Additional Conditions | Must remain as CEO; holding period until November 14, 2026 with restrictions on sale (only to cover exercise price and taxes) |