Daktronics Acting CFO Paid $1.2M Base, Double the Permanent CEO
Management crisis
Company Background
Daktronics designs and manufactures large-screen video displays, LED scoreboards, and control systems. The Brookings, South Dakota company is the world's largest supplier in its category by its own description, serving sports venues, transportation agencies, and commercial clients across five business units. Annual revenues hit a record $838.7 million in fiscal year 2026, ended May 2, 2026, up 10.9% year-over-year, with full-year diluted EPS swinging to $0.92 from a loss of $0.21 in the prior year.
The company has been working through an extended management transition. Founder and longtime CEO Reece Kurtenbach departed in March 2025 under a separation agreement, followed by an interim CEO period under Bradley Wiemann. Ramesh Jayaraman was appointed permanent President and CEO on February 1, 2026, and the board simultaneously elevated Jayaraman's compensation to a $500,000 base salary — later raised to $600,000 in September 2026. Wiemann completed his advisory role and retired on September 5, 2026.
Business results under the new leadership have been strong. Fiscal Q1 2027, ended August 1, 2026, produced net sales of $234.6 million (up 7.1% year-over-year despite one fewer week in the period), operating income of $24.9 million at a 10.6% margin, and diluted EPS of $0.40 — management described it as the highest quarterly diluted EPS in 12 quarters. Product backlog stood at $311.3 million entering the second quarter, the sixth consecutive quarter-end above $300 million.
What Was Disclosed
The board raised Howard Atkins' annual base salary from an undisclosed prior level to $1,200,000, effective September 27, 2026. Atkins carries the title Acting Chief Financial Officer and has held it continuously through the company's CEO transition. The board also approved a one-time RSU grant with a grant date fair value of $170,000, described as being awarded "in recognition of his continued service as Acting Chief Financial Officer."