John H. Biggs
Encyclopedia
John H. Biggs is a director of The Boeing Company and the National Bureau of Economic Research
as well as a trustee of Washington University in St. Louis
. He was previously Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of financial services company TIAA-CREF
from January 1993 until November 2002.
, Biggs earned an bachelor of arts degree in classics from Harvard University
, and a Ph.D. in economics from Washington University in St. Louis
.
. He was named President and CEO of Centerre Trust Company, St. Louis, in 1985.
From 1989 to 1993 he served as President and Chief Operating Officer
for TIAA-CREF, and became CEO in January 1993.
Biggs is currently a Director of the Boeing Company and JPMorgan Chase, Chairman of the J. Paul Getty Trust
, and a trustee
of Washington University, The Danforth Foundation
in St. Louis, and the Santa Fe Opera
. He is a Director and former Chairman of the United Way of New York City and the National Bureau of Economic Research
. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
, and the Council on Foreign Relations
. He is Treasurer of the New York City Investment Fund. He is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries
. He was Chairman of the Trustees of the Getty Trust and is Executive-in-Residence at NYU-Stern School of Business.
Biggs has published a number of papers on corporate governance, variable annuities, social security, regulation and taxation of pension plans, and demographic effects on pensions.
National Bureau of Economic Research
The National Bureau of Economic Research is an American private nonprofit research organization "committed to undertaking and disseminating unbiased economic research among public policymakers, business professionals, and the academic community." The NBER is well known for providing start and end...
as well as a trustee of Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
. He was previously Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of financial services company TIAA-CREF
TIAA-CREF
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association – College Retirement Equities Fund is a Fortune 100 financial services organization that is the leading retirement provider for people who work in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields...
from January 1993 until November 2002.
Education
A native of St. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Biggs earned an bachelor of arts degree in classics from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, and a Ph.D. in economics from Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
.
Career
Biggs began his professional career with the General American Life Insurance Company in 1958. He served in various actuarial management positions, and in 1970 was appointed Vice President and Controller. In 1977, Mr. Biggs became Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance at Washington University in St. LouisWashington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
. He was named President and CEO of Centerre Trust Company, St. Louis, in 1985.
From 1989 to 1993 he served as President and Chief Operating Officer
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
for TIAA-CREF, and became CEO in January 1993.
Biggs is currently a Director of the Boeing Company and JPMorgan Chase, Chairman of the J. Paul Getty Trust
J. Paul Getty Trust
The J. Paul Getty Trust is the world's wealthiest art institution with an estimated endowment in April 2009 of $US 4.2 billion. Based in Los Angeles, California, it operates the J. Paul Getty Museum, which has two locations, the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Getty Villa in Pacific...
, and a trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
of Washington University, The Danforth Foundation
Danforth Foundation
Danforth Foundation is one of the largest private non-for profit foundations in the St. Louis Metropolitan region. The foundation has 1.5 billion USD in assets as of 2003. Established in 1927 by Ralston Purina founder William H. Danforth and his wife, the Danforth Foundation grants funds...
in St. Louis, and the Santa Fe Opera
Santa Fe Opera
The Santa Fe Opera is an American opera company, located north of Santa Fe in the U.S. state of New Mexico, headquartered on a former guest ranch of .-General history:...
. He is a Director and former Chairman of the United Way of New York City and the National Bureau of Economic Research
National Bureau of Economic Research
The National Bureau of Economic Research is an American private nonprofit research organization "committed to undertaking and disseminating unbiased economic research among public policymakers, business professionals, and the academic community." The NBER is well known for providing start and end...
. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
, and the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
. He is Treasurer of the New York City Investment Fund. He is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries
Society of Actuaries
The Society of Actuaries is a professional organization for actuaries based in North America. It was founded in 1949 as the merger of two major actuarial organizations in the United States: the Actuarial Society of America and the American Institute of Actuaries...
. He was Chairman of the Trustees of the Getty Trust and is Executive-in-Residence at NYU-Stern School of Business.
Biggs has published a number of papers on corporate governance, variable annuities, social security, regulation and taxation of pension plans, and demographic effects on pensions.