The faces of corporate directors on Long Island. Changing, but according to many, not changing fast enough.

Seats of Power — Diverse Averse

One sign that directors are playing a greater role is they are often paid what looks like a full-time employee’s salary – and a well-paid employee at that. The median household income for a family of four in New York is $69,000; in 2005, the average board member at Long Island’s 10 biggest public companies was paid $104,000, according to a Long Island Business News analysis of Securities and Exchange Commission documents.

Going Overboard

They operate largely behind closed doors, collecting a full-time salary for, at most, half-time work, not to mention stock and such extra perks as travel.

Politicians? No, we’re talking about corporate board members, those who exert tremendous influence on company performance as the voice of shareholders.

But who are they? How do they get on these boards, and exactly how much are they paid? Most people have no idea, and that’s why I launched this award-winning series, “Seats of Power.”

Seats of Power — Director’s Cut