http://money.cnn.com/2006/04/04/news/companies/gap_f500_fortune/



The stock, after initially rebounding under Pressler from $10 a share to $25, has since drifted back down to $18. Same-store sales have declined for 18 of the past 21 months. By summer 2005, Pressler was referred to as "DMW," or "dead man walking," in the private-equity community.

The Gap board declined to pay Pressler a bonus in 2005, and director Meg Whitman of eBay (http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=EBAY) (Research (http://cnnfn.investor.reuters.com/Reports.aspx?ticker=EBAY)), who recommended him for the job and whom Pressler considers a strong backer, has announced she will step down when her term expires in May. (Whitman declined to comment.)

What's funny is that if Pressler, over the last 3.5 years had simply slowly seen the stock price rise from $10 to $18 without first spiking to $25 then everybody would probably be happy with him.

What's funny is that if Pressler, over the last 3.5 years had simply slowly seen the stock price rise from $10 to $18 without first spiking to $25 then everybody would probably be happy with him.

I see your point. But I don't think everybody would be happy. Stock price is only for those playing the market. This:

Same-store sales have declined for 18 of the past 21 months.

...would cause just about anyone in the business community to start to wonder about management.

I read another article, I forget where, that called Pressler the "poster child for overpaid CEOs" for for receiving huge bonuses despite a very mediocre job performance.

i read in the LA times that yes, the board did not pay him a bonus BuT he did get a stock option grant that was totally uncalled for and out of this world. you may say that it was not that much since the stock is down - but you can bet when he leaves he'll be able to cash in his golden parachute.

So, why exactly is the financial performance of The Gap relevant to the business aspects of Disney? I can't understand why some people can't seem to let go of the whole Pressler-bashing thing, even though the guy hasn't been with Disney for a couple years now.

At the very least, this certainly would be a more appropriate Lounge thread...

-Jeff

I was the OP, and here is my thoughts.

I decided to not make this a "news" item, but instead, just a discussion topic.

It was placed here because Paul Pressler is still recognized for his tenure with the company. In fact, I found the article while doing a "Disney" news search at Google.

But I did think about the Lounge too, but then, I think folks want to see his current performance at the job, and compare that to his performances while at Disney.

So, whatever the Mods want to do... leave it here, or move it to the Lounge.