Benjamin Franklin Bailar (April 21, 1934 – February 20, 2017)[1] was an American businessman who served as the United States Postmaster General from February 16, 1975, to March 15, 1978. He took office on February 16, 1975, succeeding Elmer T. Klassen. Previously, he had served as senior assistant postmaster general, chief financial officer, and deputy postmaster general.
Bailar, a graduate of the Harvard Business School with an extensive background in finance and management, attempted to place the postal service on a strong economic footing. His major responsibility as United States Postmaster General was to ensure that the semi-independent government corporation could support itself on revenues from mail users. Bailar was especially concerned with the quality of mail service and postal costs. One significant cost was labor, and Bailar is probably best known for negotiating a last moment contract which avoided a strike by unionized postal employees in 1975. He was also instrumental in the rate increase of first class stamps to 13 cents, in dealing with CIA mail tampering, and in addressing possible postal cost-cutting which would have resulted in a decline in mail services to some rural areas.[2]
Bailar was appointed to the USPS' Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee in December 2006 by former postmaster general John E. “Jack” Potter. In July 2014, Bailar resigned from the committee in protest over the increasingly commercial choices for stamp designs.[3]
benjamin, bailar, benjamin, franklin, bailar, april, 1934, february, 2017, american, businessman, served, united, states, postmaster, general, from, february, 1975, march, 1978, took, office, february, 1975, succeeding, elmer, klassen, previously, served, seni. Benjamin Franklin Bailar April 21 1934 February 20 2017 1 was an American businessman who served as the United States Postmaster General from February 16 1975 to March 15 1978 He took office on February 16 1975 succeeding Elmer T Klassen Previously he had served as senior assistant postmaster general chief financial officer and deputy postmaster general Benjamin BailarUnited States Postmaster GeneralIn office February 16 1975 March 15 1978PresidentGerald FordJimmy CarterPreceded byE T KlassenSucceeded byWilliam F BolgerPersonal detailsBorn 1934 04 21 April 21 1934Champaign Illinois U S DiedFebruary 20 2017 2017 02 20 aged 82 Lake Forest Illinois U S EducationUniversity of Colorado Boulder BA Harvard University MBA Contents 1 Career 2 Background 3 Service on advisory committee 4 References 5 External linksCareer editBailar a graduate of the Harvard Business School with an extensive background in finance and management attempted to place the postal service on a strong economic footing His major responsibility as United States Postmaster General was to ensure that the semi independent government corporation could support itself on revenues from mail users Bailar was especially concerned with the quality of mail service and postal costs One significant cost was labor and Bailar is probably best known for negotiating a last moment contract which avoided a strike by unionized postal employees in 1975 He was also instrumental in the rate increase of first class stamps to 13 cents in dealing with CIA mail tampering and in addressing possible postal cost cutting which would have resulted in a decline in mail services to some rural areas 2 Background editBailar was born in Champaign Illinois on April 21 1934 After attending public schools and the University of Illinois Lab School in his home town Bailar attended the University of Colorado Following his graduation in 1955 he served in the U S Navy as a Supply Officer before entering the Harvard Business School He received his Masters in Business Administration in 1959 Bailar is also the recipient of honorary degrees from Monmouth College and the University of Colorado In addition to his term of service as postmaster general Bailar has worked for the Continental Oil Company American Can Company and U S Gypsum He has served on the boards of a number of corporations banks educational institutions and not for profit organizations In 1987 he accepted appointment as dean and professor of the Jesse H Jones School of Business Administration at Rice University in Houston Texas Bailar led the fledgling program through 10 years of steady growth and increasing recognition before retiring in 1997 Service on advisory committee editBailar was appointed to the USPS Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee in December 2006 by former postmaster general John E Jack Potter In July 2014 Bailar resigned from the committee in protest over the increasingly commercial choices for stamp designs 3 References edit Benjamin Bailar obituary Hugh Davis August 11 1977 Carriers Wives Grill Mail Chief Spokane Daily Chronicle McAllister Bill August 25 2014 Former PMG quits CSAC questions its value Linn s Stamp News Archived from the original on August 10 2014 Retrieved August 9 2014 External links edit nbsp Biography portalBailar Collection at the Gerald R Ford Library Alumni page from the University Laboratory High SchoolGovernment officesPreceded byE T Klassen United States Postmaster GeneralFebruary 16 1975 March 15 1978 Succeeded byWilliam F Bolger nbsp nbsp This article about an Illinois politician is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Benjamin F Bailar amp oldid 1191641973, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
