Ralph Jarron Cordiner (March 20, 1900 – December 5, 1973) was an American businessman.[1] He served as president of General Electric from 1950 to 1958, and as its chairman and chief executive officer from 1958 to 1963.[2][3][4]
He was born in 1900 on a 1280-acre wheat farm in Walla Walla, Washington.[2][3] He attended Whitman College, working odd jobs and selling washing machines, and graduated in 1922 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.[3]
He joined the Edison General Electric Appliance Company, a GE affiliate, in 1923.[3] Later, he became manager of its Northwest and Ocean Pacific divisions.[3] From 1932 to 1938, he worked in its Bridgeport, Connecticut office.[3] In 1939, he left GE and served as president of Schick until 1942. He returned to GE and worked as Charles E. Wilson's assistant.[3] In 1950, he became president of GE, up until 1958.[3] From 1958 to 1963, he served as chairman and CEO. During his tenure, he decentralized GE into 120 units.[1][2][3]
In 1958 Cordiner fired Homer Oldfield as General Manager (from 1956) of GE's Computer Department for exceeding his authority by developing the Bank of America ERMA system, because he did not see any potential in the computer business.
He served as chairman of the Defense Advisory Committee on Professional and Technical Compensation in the Armed Forces.[3] He also served as chairman of The Business Council from 1960 to 1961.[5]
ralph, cordiner, ralph, jarron, cordiner, march, 1900, december, 1973, american, businessman, served, president, general, electric, from, 1950, 1958, chairman, chief, executive, officer, from, 1958, 1963, bornralph, jarron, cordiner, 1900, march, 1900walla, wa. Ralph Jarron Cordiner March 20 1900 December 5 1973 was an American businessman 1 He served as president of General Electric from 1950 to 1958 and as its chairman and chief executive officer from 1958 to 1963 2 3 4 Ralph J CordinerBornRalph Jarron Cordiner 1900 03 20 March 20 1900Walla Walla Washington U S DiedDecember 5 1973 1973 12 05 aged 73 Belleair Florida U S Alma materWhitman CollegeOccupationChairman amp CEO of General Electric 1958 1963 Biography editHe was born in 1900 on a 1280 acre wheat farm in Walla Walla Washington 2 3 He attended Whitman College working odd jobs and selling washing machines and graduated in 1922 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics 3 He joined the Edison General Electric Appliance Company a GE affiliate in 1923 3 Later he became manager of its Northwest and Ocean Pacific divisions 3 From 1932 to 1938 he worked in its Bridgeport Connecticut office 3 In 1939 he left GE and served as president of Schick until 1942 He returned to GE and worked as Charles E Wilson s assistant 3 In 1950 he became president of GE up until 1958 3 From 1958 to 1963 he served as chairman and CEO During his tenure he decentralized GE into 120 units 1 2 3 In 1958 Cordiner fired Homer Oldfield as General Manager from 1956 of GE s Computer Department for exceeding his authority by developing the Bank of America ERMA system because he did not see any potential in the computer business He served as chairman of the Defense Advisory Committee on Professional and Technical Compensation in the Armed Forces 3 He also served as chairman of The Business Council from 1960 to 1961 5 He was on the cover of Time Magazine on January 12 1959 6 He was the recipient of the first Gold Medal Award of the Economic Club of New York 3 References edit a b Harvard Business School a b c BusinessWeek a b c d e f g h i j k GE biography CNN The Business Council Official website Background Archived 2016 03 03 at the Wayback Machine Time Magazine Business positionsPreceded byCharles E Wilson President of General Electric1950 1958 Succeeded byGerald L PhillippePreceded byPhilip D Reed Chairman of General Electric1958 1963 Succeeded byGerald L Phillippe Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ralph J Cordiner amp oldid 1175900141, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
