James Edward Arnold
Encyclopedia
James Edward "Jim" Arnold (May 7, 1939 – October 4, 2007) was a prominent American businessman. Arnold was one of Pirelli
North America’s last presidents and was also the president of Bohn Aluminum and a major consultant to Wicks (a group most famous for its ownership of the Lowe's
hardware chain).
; he quickly rose to a position in the Green Berets (a part of the U.S. Special Forces) after service and training in the Army Airborne. Arnold served in the Korean War
and part of the Vietnam War
before leaving the army.
Following his service in the army, Arnold began work with General Cable in California. He advanced within General Cable to its presidency after managing numerous plants. When Pirelli acquired General Cable, Arnold became head of its U.S. cable company. Upon the merger of Pirelli Cable's U.S. division with its Canadian division, Arnold became President and CEO of Pirelli North America, working in South Carolina, Michigan and New York. Arnold retired from his position as head of the company at the age of forty-two.
During his retirement, Arnold became head of Bohn Aluminum and oversaw its sale. After the conclusion of this sale, Arnold acquired and headed a number of companies (including paint and pesticide companies) as he became interested in various businesses. Arnold also worked during his official retirement as a consultant to the Wicks Group, owner of hardware chain Lowe's
. In addition Arnold headed the short-lived DDM food company (a shelf-stable foods producer), of South Carolina.
, a small agricultural town in Central California, where Anna Arnold owned and operated the local drycleaner. During the summers of his childhood, Arnold returned to Oklahoma to build houses with his father. Arnold was expelled from High School after assaulting the superintendent of schools for making offensive comments. Arnold had a brother, Leon, and three sisters: Louise, Carol and Diane. After his service in the army, Arnold married Cecily Kroos, a Californian college student and had two daughters with her: Jacqueline and Lesa. Following a divorce, Arnold married Susan Cannon of Abbevile, South Carolina. His daughter Jacqueline had two children: James Proffitt and Eric Eriksen, while his daughter Lesa also had two children: Joshua and Amber Gee.
Pirelli
Pirelli & C. SpA is a diverse multinational company based in Milan, Italy. The company, the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer, is present in over 160 countries, has 20 manufacturing sites around the world and a network of around 10,000 distributors and retailers.Founded in Milan in 1872,...
North America’s last presidents and was also the president of Bohn Aluminum and a major consultant to Wicks (a group most famous for its ownership of the Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
hardware chain).
Professional career
At the age of seventeen Arnold joined the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
; he quickly rose to a position in the Green Berets (a part of the U.S. Special Forces) after service and training in the Army Airborne. Arnold served in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and part of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
before leaving the army.
Following his service in the army, Arnold began work with General Cable in California. He advanced within General Cable to its presidency after managing numerous plants. When Pirelli acquired General Cable, Arnold became head of its U.S. cable company. Upon the merger of Pirelli Cable's U.S. division with its Canadian division, Arnold became President and CEO of Pirelli North America, working in South Carolina, Michigan and New York. Arnold retired from his position as head of the company at the age of forty-two.
During his retirement, Arnold became head of Bohn Aluminum and oversaw its sale. After the conclusion of this sale, Arnold acquired and headed a number of companies (including paint and pesticide companies) as he became interested in various businesses. Arnold also worked during his official retirement as a consultant to the Wicks Group, owner of hardware chain Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
. In addition Arnold headed the short-lived DDM food company (a shelf-stable foods producer), of South Carolina.
Personal life
Shortly after his birth, Arnold's family moved to Del Rey, CaliforniaDel Rey, California
Del Rey is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 1,639 at the 2010 census, up from 950 at the 2000 census...
, a small agricultural town in Central California, where Anna Arnold owned and operated the local drycleaner. During the summers of his childhood, Arnold returned to Oklahoma to build houses with his father. Arnold was expelled from High School after assaulting the superintendent of schools for making offensive comments. Arnold had a brother, Leon, and three sisters: Louise, Carol and Diane. After his service in the army, Arnold married Cecily Kroos, a Californian college student and had two daughters with her: Jacqueline and Lesa. Following a divorce, Arnold married Susan Cannon of Abbevile, South Carolina. His daughter Jacqueline had two children: James Proffitt and Eric Eriksen, while his daughter Lesa also had two children: Joshua and Amber Gee.