Paul Liu
WYNN RESORTSAbout Paul Liu
Paul Liu, age 65, is an independent director of Wynn Resorts, Limited, serving since August 2023 and standing for a term expiring at the 2027 Annual Meeting. He is a former Partner at Egon Zehnder, AG where he led the Services Practice in Asia Pacific focused on hotels and hospitality, and previously served as COO, China at Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and Executive Director/CFO at Three on the Bund; he holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins SAIS .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egon Zehnder, AG | Consultant/Partner; led Services Practice (APAC) | 2011–2023 | Led hospitality-focused advisory across multinational and Chinese companies |
| Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), China | Chief Operating Officer | 2009–2011 | Built out China operations during design/construction of Shanghai World Expo Performing Arts Center (now Mercedes-Benz Arena) |
| Three on the Bund (Shanghai) | Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer | 2000–2007 | Founder of iconic lifestyle development; negotiated luxury retail partnerships |
| Multinational Investment Banks | Corporate finance, asset management, capital markets | 14 years (NY & HK) | Finance/accounting background underpinning audit oversight |
External Roles
- No current public-company directorships are disclosed for Paul Liu in the 2025 proxy .
Board Governance
- Committee assignments: Audit Committee member (not Chair; not designated as the committee’s “financial expert”) .
- Independence: Board determined Liu is independent under Nasdaq rules and meets heightened independence for Audit Committee membership under Exchange Act Rule 10A-3 .
- Attendance: In 2024, the Board held 8 meetings and the Audit Committee held 8; all directors attended the 2024 annual meeting and each attended at least 75% of Board and committee meetings during their tenure .
- Board leadership: Wynn separates Chair and CEO; Philip G. Satre serves as independent, non-executive Chair, reaffirmed annually per Corporate Governance Guidelines .
Fixed Compensation
| Component | Amount/Terms | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash fees (2024) | $115,000 | Total annual fees inclusive of retainer and applicable committee service |
| Equity grant (standard) | Restricted stock valued at $250,000; vests 100% on 1st anniversary | Determined annually by the Board |
| Board retainer (policy) | Member: $100,000; Chair: $200,000 | Annual cash retainer structure |
| Audit Committee (policy) | Member: $1,250/month; Chair: $3,000/month | Monthly committee fees |
| Other committee fees (policy) | Compensation/Nominating Member: $1,000/month; Chair: $2,000/month | Monthly committee fees |
| Compliance Committee ex officio (policy) | $75,000 annual retainer (ex officio directors only) | Not applicable to Liu unless designated |
Performance Compensation
Directors do not receive performance-based pay. Annual director equity is time-based restricted stock.
| Grant Date | Instrument | Shares | Grant-Date Fair Value | Vesting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2024 | Restricted Stock | 2,696 | $250,000 | 100% on first anniversary of grant date |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
- Compensation Committee interlocks: Wynn reports no interlocking relationships between its Board/Compensation Committee and the boards/compensation committees of other companies in 2024 .
Expertise & Qualifications
- Finance & Accounting: 14 years in banking (NY/HK); CFO experience (Three on the Bund); finance responsibility at AEG China .
- Real Estate & Project Construction: Oversaw hospitality/lifestyle construction; negotiated luxury retail partnerships .
- Travel/Leisure/Hospitality & Entertainment: Founder/operator experience in Shanghai; managed AEG China build-out .
Equity Ownership
| Holder | Shares Beneficially Owned | % of O/S | Unvested RSUs at 12/31/2024 | Pledging/Hedging | Ownership Guideline | Compliance Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Liu | 7,296 | <1% | 2,696 shares (standard director grant) | Prohibited by company policy unless approved by Board | Directors: 3x annual retainer | All directors and NEOs currently satisfy requirements |
Governance Assessment
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Strengths: Independent director with deep Asia-Pacific hospitality/entertainment experience; Audit Committee member enhancing oversight of financial reporting and compliance; strong attendance expectations met in 2024; equity grants and ownership guidelines align incentives, with hedging/pledging prohibited .
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Potential conflicts: None disclosed involving Liu; related-party transactions are reviewed under an Audit Committee policy, and the 2025 proxy lists material related-party items without any Liu-specific transactions .
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Compensation alignment: Director pay combines cash retainer and time-based restricted stock (no performance metrics); amounts are consistent with policy and uniform across directors, supporting alignment without undue risk-taking .
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RED FLAGS: None identified for Liu. No pledging; no related-party transactions; independence affirmed; attendance thresholds met .
Overall, Liu appears governance-positive for investor confidence: independent audit oversight, sector expertise relevant to Wynn’s global footprint (Macau/UAE), and no disclosed conflicts or pay anomalies .