American Tower's chief earned 19% less in 2008

NEW YORK - The chairman and chief executive of Boston-based American Tower Corp., which operates communications towers, received compensation valued at $5.3 million in 2008, a 19 percent decline from the previous year, according to an Associated Press analysis.

James D. Taiclet Jr. received salary of $876,750, a 5 percent increase over the prior year. He was awarded a performance-related bonus of about $1.1 million, up from $701,400, according to documents filed with regulators. He got $25,172 in other compensation. In addition, he received stock options and restricted stock valued at $3.3 million on the day they were granted, March 17.

American Tower's stock fell 31 percent in 2008.