BTW, just checking via Forbes.com that Mr. Lucier was paid 33 million last year.

FORBES: Should Life Technologies Go Private?

Michael Eisner's track record at Disney is a bit like this, argues Mr Lucier.

ECONOMIST: Company bosses

"It's difficult for another company to come into this market, " says Life Technologies Chief Executive Gregory Lucier.

FORBES: Technology

Outsiders are good at doing the rapid cost-cutting and divestment often needed by firms in trouble, but they are less good at building and sustaining long-term growth, says Mr Lucier.

ECONOMIST: Company bosses

"The potential disruptive impacts of a debt ceiling fight on both domestic politics and the financial markets are such that Republican leaders view it with trepidation, " reports analyst James Lucier of Capital Alpha.

WSJ: Debt Ceiling Enters Tax Debate

Mr. Lucier also seems to have put most of his eggs in the Ion Torrent basket, which as any businessman small or large will tell you, may be too risky in this day and age.

FORBES: Should Life Technologies Go Private?

Chuck Lucier, of consultants Booz Allen Hamilton, has examined the performance of insiders and outsiders over time and found that, in general, outside chief executives do very well in the early part of their tenure and very badly in the latter part.

ECONOMIST: Company bosses