Jul. 24--It's been a tough year to be a CEO.

In the middle of an already mean recession, everyone from members of Congress to average Joes has turned a stern eye toward big executive paychecks.

Attracting less notice, though, is just how much executives earn to regulate the pay of their fellow head honchos.

That's right, executives often pull in a hefty second income stream by serving on a company's board of directors.

It's a job that gives them the power to have a say in the executive compensation debate in the most direct way possible -- by actually divvying up or cutting back on their peers' raises and perks.

And, in turn, they are compensated for their trouble.

Darden Restaurants CEO Clarence Otis, for example, serves on the boards of Verizon Communications and VF Corp., owner of Wrangler, The North Face and other clothing brands.

Otis saw his cash retainer for service on Verizon's board increase from $60,000 in 2007 to $85,000 in 2008. Otis also received Verizon shares valued at $130,000 both years.

At VF Corp. Otis received a $50,000 annual retainer, up from $45,000 in 2007, as well as $1,500 for each board meeting attended. His total compensation, including the value of stock-option awards, was valued slightly higher by VF Corp. in 2008 ($173,693) over 2007 ($162,274).

There are some signs, however, that director compensation is also starting to feel the effects of the recession.

Compensation Resources Inc., a New Jersey-based compensation and human-resources consulting service, released a survey last month of 204 companies that showed fewer than 20 percent of organizations increased pay for directors last year.

Although Harris Corp. CEO Howard Lance also saw an increase in director compensation in 2008, he can expect less next year. He earned $99,000 in fees or cash plus stock options in 2008 for his role on the board of Tennessee-based Eastman Chemical Co., a small jump from the $94,000 plus stock options he earned in 2007.

But Eastman's directors voted in March to decrease their own annual retainers of $90,000 by

5 percent beginning this month to be consistent with the reduction of employees' base pay, the filing noted.

Other executives of local companies who cashed notable paychecks for board service last year include:

--Michael O'Donnell, president and CEO of Lake Mary-based Ruth's Hospitality Group, was paid $39,000 in fees earned or paid in cash by food company Cosi Inc. He earned $46,500 in 2007. He also earned stock awards valued at $25,000 each year. At pizza maker Sbarro Inc., where he is also a director, he earned a slight increase in fees or cash from 2007 ($37,000) to 2008 ($40,000).

--Tupperware Chief Executive E.V. "Rick" Goings earned $277,863, the value listed by the company of restricted stock units from printer and direct mail company RR Donnelley & Sons Co. in 2008. It was his first year as a director of the company.

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