Axios Raleigh
August 14, 2026
1 big thing: Bringing home the bacon
Ari Bousbib of Durham-based clinical research company IQVIA remains the Triangle's highest-paid CEO, according to an Axios survey of financial filings.
The big picture: A majority of the chief executive officers of the Triangle's largest publicly traded companies saw their compensation increase last year, bringing in millions of dollars in salary, stock options and perks.
- That mirrored a nationwide trend, with the median compensation of S&P 500 CEOs up 5.9% last year, according to Equilar.
Zoom in: Bousbib, who has led IQVIA since 2016, reported a total compensation package of $28.1 million in 2025, up around 5% from the year before.
- Michael Weiss, the CEO of Morrisville-based TG Therapeutics, which produces multiple sclerosis treatments, followed behind. He brought in a total compensation of $25.6 million, up 36% from the previous year.
Between the lines: The pay gap between CEOs of companies and their employees can often be quite large as well. That gap continues to grow nationally.
- Shane O'Kelly, the CEO of Raleigh-based Advance Auto Parts, for instance, had a reported total compensation package of $9.1 million last year. That was 358 times larger than the company's median wage of $25,492.
Caveat: The bulk of CEOs' pay came in the form of stock options and grants, which can fluctuate significantly in their value.
- And while several of the CEOs on the list may lead Triangle-based companies, they might live in other places.
- Bousbib, who led IMS Health when it combined with Durham-based Quintiles to form IQVIA, has long been based in Connecticut. And Ed Meyercord runs Morrisville-based Extreme Networks from San Jose, California.
By the numbers: Two women CEOs — Caitlin Zulla of Lumexa Imaging and Tami Newcombe of Ralliant — were among the 10 highest-compensated CEOs last year. In 2024, there were no women in the rankings.
- Laura Niklason, CEO of the Durham biotech Humacyte, saw the largest increase in compensation in 2025. Her reported pay of $5.2 million was up more than 400% from the previous year. Humacyte's stock price, however, is down 41% so far this year.
- The CEO whose compensation fell the most last year was Michael Amoroso of Precision Biosciences. His compensation dropped 49% to $2.2 million.
2. 🍻 Fullsteam ahead
Fullsteam Brewery plans to open its American Tobacco Campus taproom soon, likely next month.
Why it matters: It's been nearly two years since Fullsteam's original taproom on the other side of downtown Durham closed amid a dispute with the landlord.
Driving the news: The brewery offered a sneak peek yesterday of its new digs near ATC's iconic Lucky Strike smokestack and water tower.
- The space sprawls over 9,000 square feet, with seating in multiple rooms and on an outdoor patio under string lights.
Zoom out: The event also marked the 21st anniversary of North Carolina lifting the 6% ABV limit on beer, a decision that transformed "the state into a national craft beer powerhouse," organizers said.
- Fullsteam, founded on Rigsbee Avenue in 2010, is Durham's OG craft beer maker.
What we're watching: Brewery owner Sean Lilly Wilson has been hesitant to put an exact timeline on reopening.
- "How about September? September sounds nice," the marquee read earlier this month.
3. The Tea: WakeMed merger back on the agenda
4. Our weekend picks
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