An Overview of Executive Compensation at RPC, Inc.

RPC, Inc. (NYSE: RES), a leading oilfield services company in Atlanta, continues to navigate the challenging landscape of the oil and gas industry while compensating its top executives competitively. Throughout the years, the compensation of executives, particularly President and CEO Ben M. Palmer, reflects the dynamic nature of the industry and the company's emphasis on rewarding leadership performance primarily through stock awards and incentive plans.


In 2024, Ben M. Palmer's total compensation was $1,854,830, with a salary of $600,000, and a significant portion ($1,224,900) coming from stock awards. This compensation structure aligns with RPC’s strategic focus on long-term growth, as stock awards directly correlate executives' financial interests with shareholders’ value. Interestingly, Palmer did not receive a bonus or option award during this period. Other compensation totaled $29,930, resulting in total reported compensation1. This pattern of compensation mirrors the previous year, 2023, where Palmer also received a salary of $600,000 and stock awards totaling $998,400, culminating in a total compensation of $2,391,450, fueled significantly by $768,000 from incentive plan compensation. The additional plan-based awards highlight a rewarding structure for meeting specific performance benchmarks2.

Going back to 2020, during Palmer's tenure as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Corporate Secretary, he earned a total compensation of $705,580, highlighting a consistent trajectory in recognition3. Comparatively, Richard A. Hubbell, then serving as Executive Chairman of the Board, received a total compensation of $1,275,559, underscoring the hierarchical compensation differences reflective of their distinct roles within the organization4.

The attention to performance-based compensation is a telling indicator of RPC, Inc.’s responsiveness to market conditions. As the company continues to expand, such as through its recent $245 million acquisition of Pintail Completions to bolster its presence in the Permian Basin5, the compensation strategy serves as a tool to align the executive suite towards achieving organizational goals and shareholder returns.

Despite recent financial challenges, including RPC's first-quarter 2025 earnings falling below estimates due to subdued demand6, the company's compensation strategy remains pivoted on long-term reward mechanisms that underscore alignments with shareholder interests and business expansion. This is further emphasized by the current stock price which, at $4.84, faces a downturn, yet is poised for potential adjustments as leadership continues to steer the business through evolving industry dynamics7.

RPC's solid foundation and strategic investments signal a promising trajectory, which, coupled with a compensation framework focused on growth through stock and incentive-based rewards, symbolizes their commitment to fortifying shareholder value and sustaining corporate leadership excellence into the future.

---

1. "SEC Filing," SEC.gov, accessed April 30, 2025, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/742278/000155837025002756/0001558370-25-002756-index.htm.
2. "SEC Filing," SEC.gov, accessed April 30, 2025, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/742278/000155837024003185/0001558370-24-003185-index.htm.
3. "SEC Filing," SEC.gov, accessed April 30, 2025, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/742278/000155837022003630/0001558370-22-003630-index.htm.
4. "SEC Filing," SEC.gov, accessed April 30, 2025, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/742278/000155837023003893/0001558370-23-003893-index.htm.
5. "RPC Expands Permian Reach With $245M Pintail Acquisition," Zacks.com, accessed April 30, 2025, https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2439549/rpc-expands-permian-reach-with-245m-pintail-acquisition.
6. "RPC Q1 Earnings Lag Estimates, Revenues Fall Y/Y on Sluggish Demand," Zacks.com, accessed April 30, 2025, https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2456011/rpc-q1-earnings-lag-estimates-revenues-fall-y-y-on-sluggish-demand.
7. "Is RPC (RES) Stock Undervalued Right Now?" Zacks.com, accessed April 30, 2025, https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2456795/is-rpc-res-stock-undervalued-right-now.