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W. Craig Jelinek
Photo: US Department of Labor, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons30

W. Craig Jelinek

American businessman (born 1952)

Walter Craig Jelinek (born August 8, 1952) is an American businessman who served as president and CEO of Costco from 2012 to 2023, when he succeeded the company's founder, James Sinegal.2

From Wikipedia’s article on W. Craig Jelinek (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Aug 8, 1952.1

Companies

  • CostcoBoard member Feb 2010 to now14
  • CostcoChief executive officer Jan 1, 2012 to Jan 1, 202415
  • CostcoPresident Oct 13, 2010 to Dec 2, 202116
  • CostcoChief operating officer Oct 13, 2010 to Mar 13, 201216
  • CostcoExecutive VP Oct 19, 2006 to Apr 19, 201017

Holdings

Stock this person has reported owning, from the forms officers and directors file with the SEC. See the biggest insider stakes.

Shares held

  • Costco COST214,365 shares18$213.5M at $996.16Dec 23, 2024

As of each latest filing. The line shows shares held over time.

Recent filings

  • Dec 19, 2024Gift 2,017 shares of Costco18
  • Oct 22, 2024Granted 303 shares of Costco19
  • Jul 19, 2024Gift 60 shares of Costco20
  • Apr 5, 2024Shares withheld for tax 10,478 shares at $713.72 of Costco21
  • Apr 5, 2024Shares withheld for tax 9,482 shares at $713.72 of Costco21
  • Apr 5, 2024Shares withheld for tax 3,726 shares at $713.72 of Costco21
  • Apr 5, 2024Shares withheld for tax 3,038 shares at $713.72 of Costco21
  • Jan 23, 2024Sold 8,000 shares at $685.93 of Costco22
  • Jan 12, 2024Granted 1,255 shares of Costco23
  • Jan 12, 2024Granted 804 shares of Costco24
  • Dec 28, 2023Gift 1,900 shares of Costco25
  • Oct 22, 2023Shares withheld for tax 1,367 shares at $552.93 of Costco26
  • Oct 22, 2023Shares withheld for tax 1,672 shares at $552.93 of Costco26
  • Oct 22, 2023Shares withheld for tax 2,395 shares at $552.93 of Costco26
  • Oct 22, 2023Granted 27,129 shares of Costco26
  • Oct 22, 2023Granted 31,369 shares of Costco26
  • Jun 23, 2023Gift 950 shares of Costco27
  • Jun 22, 2023Gift 12 shares of Costco27
  • Mar 14, 2023Gift 1,000 shares of Costco28
  • Mar 13, 2023Gift 2,100 shares of Costco28
  • Dec 23, 2022Gift 21,112 shares of Costco28
  • Oct 27, 2022Gift 600 shares of Costco28
  • Oct 22, 2022Shares withheld for tax 1,361 shares at $478.18 of Costco29
  • Oct 22, 2022Shares withheld for tax 1,350 shares at $478.18 of Costco29
  • Oct 22, 2022Granted 3,216 shares of Costco29

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedSan Diego State University3

Early life

On August 8, 1952, Jelinek was born in Los Angeles, California to Walter Adolph Jelinek and Erdene Gordon. His father was of Czech descent (the surname is derived from Jelínek, which is common in the country). In 1970, Jelinek graduated from Antelope Valley High School.

Education

In 1975, Jelinek earned a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University.

From Wikipedia’s article on W. Craig Jelinek (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: entrepreneur.10

  • 2012 to 2024Chief executive, Costco6
  • 2012 to 2024Chief executive officer8 9
  • Since 2010Board member, Costco7
  • Since 2004Worked at Costco4 5

Jelinek began his career at FedMart, later serving as an operations manager for the company in Los Angeles. In 1981, he joined Lucky Stores.

Jelinek joined Costco as a warehouse manager in 1984 and later became manager of the company's Northwest region following the Price Club merger. He was named executive vice president of merchandising in 2004. Jelinek joined Costco's board of directors in 2010 amid speculation that he was being prepared to succeed as chief executive officer. He was named president later that year and assumed the role of CEO in 2012 following the retirement of founder James Sinegal.

Jelinek also serves on the board of Costco Wholesale UK Ltd.

In 2018, Jelinek's annual base salary was reported as $800,000 by the Puget Sound Business Journal. His base salary increased to $1,000,000 in 2020; that same year, his total compensation was $8,279,552, according to a Costco SEC filing. In 2023, Jelinek's total compensation from Costco was $16.9 million, or 336 times the company's median employee pay for that year.

In October 2023, Jelinek announced that he would step down as Costco's chief executive officer at the end of the year. He was succeeded by Ron Vachris in January 2024; Vachris had previously served as the company's chief operating officer and president. Jelinek remained on as an advisor until April 2024 and continues to serve as a member of Costco's board of directors.

From Wikipedia’s article on W. Craig Jelinek (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornAug 8, 1952, California11
  • CitizenshipUnited States12

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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    Wikidata and SEC EDGARCostco, Board member
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    Wikidata and SEC EDGARCostco, Chief executive officer
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