Reginald H. Jones
Encyclopedia
Reginald H. Jones was the chairman and CEO of General Electric
from 1972 to 1981.
, England
, United Kingdom
.
After graduating from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
, where he was a brother of Phi Sigma Kappa
, Jones joined the GE's Business Training Course in 1939. He spent his entire career with GE. In 1968, Jones became the company's chief financial officer
, and was elected senior vice-president two years later, in 1970. He attained the top spot in 1972, serving as CEO until 1981. He was awarded the Vermilye Medal in 1978.
Jones selected his successor, Jack Welch
, based on the outcome of a succession contest. Jones' own account of that contest can be heard in an interview conducted with him by Prof. Gerald Zahavi (U-Albany, SUNY). See links below to access a portion of that interview.
Jones is best known to the public for his role in changing the relationship between business and government. As Chairman of the Business Council and co-chairman of the Business Roundtable, he was a leader in the movement to develop a constructive business-government dialogue.
On 30 December 2003, Jones died in Greenwich
, Connecticut
, United States
. During his tenure as CEO of GE he implementing various innovative strategic planning initiatives, driving the corporation further into a global marketplace. Under his watch, the company's sales more than doubled; its profits did even better. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several business publications acknowledged him to have been one of the most influential business leaders in America. In fact, in 1981, the year of his retirement, U.S. News & World Report ranked him as the most influential man in business.
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
from 1972 to 1981.
Biography
Jones was born in Stoke-on-TrentStoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
After graduating from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, where he was a brother of Phi Sigma Kappa
Phi Sigma Kappa
-Phi Sigma Kappa's Creed and Cardinal Principles:The 1934 Convention in Ann Arbor brought more changes for the fraternity. Brother Stewart W. Herman of Gettysburg wrote and presented the Creed, and Brother Ralph Watts of Massachusetts drafted and presented the Cardinal Principles.-World War II:The...
, Jones joined the GE's Business Training Course in 1939. He spent his entire career with GE. In 1968, Jones became the company's chief financial officer
Chief financial officer
The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
, and was elected senior vice-president two years later, in 1970. He attained the top spot in 1972, serving as CEO until 1981. He was awarded the Vermilye Medal in 1978.
Jones selected his successor, Jack Welch
Jack Welch
John Francis "Jack" Welch, Jr. is an American chemical engineer, business executive, and author. He was Chairman and CEO of General Electric between 1981 and 2001...
, based on the outcome of a succession contest. Jones' own account of that contest can be heard in an interview conducted with him by Prof. Gerald Zahavi (U-Albany, SUNY). See links below to access a portion of that interview.
Jones is best known to the public for his role in changing the relationship between business and government. As Chairman of the Business Council and co-chairman of the Business Roundtable, he was a leader in the movement to develop a constructive business-government dialogue.
On 30 December 2003, Jones died in Greenwich
Greenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. During his tenure as CEO of GE he implementing various innovative strategic planning initiatives, driving the corporation further into a global marketplace. Under his watch, the company's sales more than doubled; its profits did even better. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, several business publications acknowledged him to have been one of the most influential business leaders in America. In fact, in 1981, the year of his retirement, U.S. News & World Report ranked him as the most influential man in business.