as chief executive officer of United States Steel on August 31, 2013. He continued to serve as executive chairman of the board of directors until December 31, 2013, when he retired from the company and the board. In September 2015, John Surma assumed the chairmanship of the National Safety Council Board of Directors, succeeding Jeff Woodbury. Surma had been on the board since 2011. He retired from that position in 2017, being succeeded by Mark Vergnano. Compensation While CEO of United States Steel in 2008, John P. Surma earned a total compensation of $11,130,689, which included a base salary of $1,218,336, a cash bonus of $3,250,000, stocks granted of $4,174,028, options granted of $2,233,336, and other compensation of $254,989. In 2009, he requested a 20% salary reduction and more than 60% reduction in his compensation package citing the difficult business environment. From June 6, 2008, to May 31, 2013, with Surma at the helm, US Steel's stock value plummeted by 89%. Pittsburgh Penguins Surma is a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League with a share estimated in 2012 of $2 million. Notes References See also List of chief executive officers Executive officer 1954 births Living people American chief executives of manufacturing companies Baptists from Pennsylvania Smeal College of Business alumni Businesspeople from Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Penguins owners U.S. Steel people