Global Investment Watch

Here is a brief snapshot of the Lehman Brothers board of directors, their ages and backgrounds and their compensation in 2007. Given their average age and their tenure on the Lehman Brothers board, I for one am very curious about how qualified and engaged they were as stewards of this company.

Here’s the question: Should these doddering old white guys be held accountable for their reckless disregard of the extreme risks taken by the leadership of this once formidable company? More important, will they be held accountable?
MICHAEL L. AINSLIE
Director since 1996
Age: 64
Compensation (2007): $397,538
Private Investor and Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby’s Holdings.

JOHN F. AKERS
Director since 1996
Age: 73
Compensation (2007): $360,538
Retired Chairman of International Business Machines Corporation.

ROGER S. BERLIND
Director since 1985
Age: 77
Compensation (2007): $352,538
Theatrical Producer. Mr. Berlind, who is also a private investor, has been a theatrical producer and principal of Berlind Productions since 1981.

THOMAS H. CRUIKSHANK
Director since 1996
Age: 76
Compensation (2007): $385,038
Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Halliburton Company. MARSHA

JOHNSON EVANS
Director since 2004
Age: 60
Compensation (2007): $373,038
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired). Ms. Evans served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross from August 2002 to December 2005.

RICHARD S. FULD, JR.
Director since 1990
Age: 61
Compensation (2007): $40,000,000
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

SIR CHRISTOPHER GENT
Director since 2003
Age: 59
Compensation (2007): $365,538
Non-Executive Chairman of GlaxoSmithKline plc.

JERRY A. GRUNDHOFER
Age: 63
Chairman Emeritus and Retired Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Bancorp.

ROLAND A. HERNANDEZ
Director since 2005
Age: 50
$325,038
Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Telemundo Group, Inc.

HENRY KAUFMAN
Director since 1995
Age: 80
Compensation (2007): Not disclosed
President of Henry Kaufman & Company, Inc. Dr. Kaufman has been President of Henry Kaufman & Company, Inc., an investment management and economic and financial consulting firm, since 1988.

JOHN D. MACOMBER
Director since 1994
Age: 80
Compensation (2007): $377,038
Principal of JDM Investment Group.

It’s worth pointing out that $35,000,000 of Mr. Fulds compensation is in RSUs or reserved stock in the company. It’s fair to assume that he is only looking at a paltry $5 million of that today. The crocodile tears are pouring down my cheeks.