By Becky Yerak | Naperville-based
Calamos Asset Management Inc., which manages $32.7 billion in client
funds, paid Chief Executive John Calamos more than $3.4 million in
2009, down from nearly $5 million in 2008.

Calamos, who is also chairman and co-chief investment officer, earned
$250,000 in salary, $984,011 in stock awards, more than $1.9 million in
cash incentive compensation, and $307,385 in “other” compensation. That
included $223,428 for personal use of the company’s leased private
aircraft.

The company’s proxy also notes that Calamos’ step son was employed as director of security and business continuity on June 1, 2009. His total compensation for the seven months of 2009 was $141,197.

The Calamos family owns 73.4 percent of the company, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

In 2009, Calamos experienced significant growth in assets under management, due mostly to strong investment performance across most of its strategies. Assets under management in 2008 were $24 billion.

But $100 invested in Calamos stock as of Dec. 31, 2004, would be worth $46.49 as of the end of 2009, compared with $129 for the SNL Asset Manager Index. Calamos stock is currently trading at $14.19, near the high end of its 52-week trading range of $6.12 to $15.47

Here’s a link to its proxy.