Our nation has officially been in a recession for roughly a year–one already characterized as the most brutal in decades. At press time, 10 million Americans were out of work–6.1% of whites, 11.2% of blacks. Moreover, the financial services and automotive sectors, to name two industries, require billions in taxpayer dollars to stay afloat. Yet in this midst of this strained economy, Black Enterprise has decided to spotlight the extraordinary achievements of a cadre of top professionals–our 100 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America.
During these times, we saw fit to identify such talent because it will be their individual and collective leadership and intellect that will help preserve, expand, and transform global business for years to come. “Delivering in good times is critical,†offers Adriane Brown, president and CEO of Honeywell Transportation Systems, “but the true test is how you lead when market conditions are changing rapidly.â€
The altered landscape will undoubtedly force a new set of strategies for productivity. As author Scott McKain outlines in his new book, The Collapse of Distinction: Creating Differentiation in a Cluttered Marketplace (Thomas Nelson; $24.99), the challenge won’t be how to build a better mousetrap, but knowing whether you need the apparatus at all. “As companies strive for greater efficiency, they will begin eliminating roles, organizational layers, and shifting supplier relationships,†explains Joe Watson, management consultant and author of Without Excuses: Unleash the Power of Diversity to Build Your Business (St. Martin’s Press; $24.95). “This will translate into fewer opportunities to lead/manage within a company.†Watson says such scarcity will dramatically increase competition not only in the marketplace but the workplace as well. “The ability to manage conflict within the ‘scarcity economy’ will be the skill set that sets apart those who thrive versus those who are fighting to survive.â€
With these changing dynamics–and despite the fact that some believe the Obama presidency will level the playing field–black executives will continue to contend with fierce political battles and, in some cases, deal with the same issues of racism. But Watson believes every challenge brings opportunities. “The key is to deliver the results. In a downturn as severe as our current one, the company will not care what color or gender you are,†he says. “The sole corporate interest will be in your ability to drive results and exceed expectations.â€
Indeed, managing through challenging times will shape new models for success–and the men and women on the following pages are best positioned to lead the way.
–Additional reporting by Brittany Hutson
(continued on Page 2)SELECTION CRITERIA
- Each candidate was selected from among the highest ranking executives within his or her corporation, managing national and global businesses. These men and women are CEOs, CFOs, COOs, or heads of major divisions that significantly contribute to their company’s revenues, or officers or members of their company’s executive committees. Other titles may include president, general manager, executive vice president, senior vice president, or another top-ranking position with significant management responsibility and budget authority. Executives holding the position of general counsel were not considered.
- Each executive holds a senior management position with one of the top 1,000 publicly traded companies or an international corporation with gross revenues of at least $1 billion.
- Each of the executives has revenue-generating or operating responsibilities, or holds a position critical to product development and the bottom line. None of the top executives has primary responsibility for staff functions in areas such as public affairs, community affairs, or diversity.
- Each has had significant influence in his or her company and industry.
HOW WE IDENTIFY THE MOST POWERFUL EXECUTIVES
- Chief Executive Officers/Largest publicly traded companies and international corporations
- Chief Executive Officers/Major divisions
- Top Executives
CHIEF EXECUTIVES
KENNETH I. CHENAULT
Chairman & CEO
American Express
Power Move: Chenault leads executive management teams, including the Asset Management Group, Asset Management International, and the portfolio management group. In 2004 Chenault oversaw an agreement with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China to issue Amex credit cards in China.
STEVEN A. DAVIS Chairman & CEO
Bob Evans Farms Inc.
Power Move: Davis oversees Bob Evans Farms Inc., a publicly held restaurant and food products company with sales of approximately $1.5 billion. He reversed a three-year trend of negative same-store sales at the restaurants with two consecutive years of positive comp-store growth.
JAMES H. DEGRAFFENREIDT JR.
Chairman & CEO of WGL Holdings Inc.
Washington Gas
Power Move: DeGraffenreidt is responsible for the performance of Washington Gas, serving more than 1 million customers. During his 20 years, he has helped transform it into a winner in an industry that has experienced dramatic changes.
ROGER W. FERGUSON JR.
President & CEO
TIAA-CREF
Power Move: Ferguson oversees the retirement system for 3.4 million employees of more than 15,000 institutions that have more than $435 billion in assets under management.
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GARY MCCULLOUGH
President & CEO
Career
Education Corp.
Power Move: McCul-lough has led CEC through substantial challenges, focusing on building a foundation for growth through improved organizational effectiveness and efficiency. He and his executive leadership team have addressed structural issues that impeded short-term financial performance.
RODNEY O’NEAL
CEO & President
Delphi Corp.
Power Move: With the exception of the executive chairman, all seven divisions of Delphi, one of the world’s largest makers of auto parts, report to O’Neal. A 17-year veteran at Delphi, O’Neal is responsible for all Delphi operating units, its three regional operations, Sales & Marketing, Global Purchasing, and Logistics. He also oversees the Delphi Strategy Board.
O’Neal also directed the implementation of Delphi’s key transformation tenets in 2006, which included these key areas: modifying the company’s labor agreements and concluding negotiations, streamlining Delphi’s product portfolio, transforming the salaried workforce, and devising a workable solution to the company’s pension funding situation.
CLARENCE OTIS JR.
Chairman & CEO
Darden Restaurants
Power Move: Otis maintains a strong values-based culture, developing corporate strategy and driving its execution; strengthening enterprise leadership; building and deploying organizational resources; ensuring industry-leading consumer and workforce insight capabilities; and capturing new business growth opportunities.
JOHN W. THOMPSON
Chairman & CEO
Symantec Corp.
Power Move: Under Thompson’s leadership, Symantec has grown from a small consumer software publisher to a global leader in providing security, storage, and systems management solutions to help businesses and consumers secure and manage their information.
RONALD WILLIAMS
Chairman & CEO
Aetna
Power Move: Under Williams’ leadership, Aetna has sought to make a positive impact on healthcare in America. Since joining Aetna, Williams has focused on creating innovation in the industry, especially through information technology, and bringing new levels of transparency to the healthcare system.
DIVISION CHIEF EXECUTIVES
ADRIANE M. BROWN
President & CEO, Honeywell Transportation Systems
Honeywell International
Power Move: Brown believes the true test of leadership is how you lead when market conditions are rapidly changing. “We know that 2009 will continue to be challenging,†she says. Brown is focused on driving results by creating an environment where employees can thrive. She believes treating people with dignity encourages them to step outside their comfort zone. Under Brown’s guidance for four years, her division has annual revenues of $4.5 billion.
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CRAIG ARNOLD
CEO, Fluid Power Group
Eaton Corp.
Power Move: Arnold is responsible for Eaton’s hydraulics, aerospace, filtration, and general products businAesses. He also serves as a member of the corporation’s Office of the COO, with responsibility for the Asia-Pacific region. Arnold has global experience in management, e-business, and marketing.
FRANK M. CLARK
Chairman & CEO, ComEd
Exelon
Power Move: Clark oversees ComEd, the largest electric utility in Illinois and a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corp. He is responsible for ComEd’s $2 billion combined operating, maintenance, and capital budgets.
JOHN J. HARRIS
Executive VP, Chairman & CEO, Nestlé Waters
Nestlé
Power Move: Harris oversees 32,000 employees and operates with $8.9 billion in sales. He oversees acquisitions, new products, international partnerships, and product expansion into places such as China, the Middle East, and Africa.
DEAN SEAVERS
President & CEO, GE Security
General Electric
Power Move: Seavers manages all aspects of GE Security worldwide including profit and loss, growth, and business development. Seavers has overseen more than 24 acquisitions in his position with GE Security, a supplier of security and life safety technologies with operations in more than 35 countries.
DMITRI STOCKTON
President & CEO, Central & Eastern
European Strategic Business, GE Money
General Electric
Power Move: Stockton oversees all international banks and bank joint ventures for GE Capital. As of 2007, Stockton has grown net income for the unit from $225 million to $944 million.
JAMES E. SWEETNAM
CEO, Truck Group
Eaton Corp.
Power Move: Sweetnam has corporate-wide responsibility for Eaton’s operations in South America and for the Quality Institute and the Business Excellence Program. Sweetnam also serves as a member of Eaton’s Office of the COO.
KEVIN WARREN
Chairman, President & CEO, Xerox Canada
Xerox
Power Move: Warren is responsible for the business operations of Xerox Canada, including Human Resources, Customer Service, Marketing, and Sales. He most recently led the successful integration of the $1.5 billion purchase of Global Imaging Systems into Xerox from April through December 2007.
RODERICK K. WEST
President & CEO, Entergy New Orleans
Entergy
Power Move: West oversees the largest gas system rebuild in the history of the industry, with the replacement of more than 844 miles of pipelines damaged by Hurricane Katrina.In 2008, West implemented something almost unheard of in the utility industry–a temporary 6% electric rate decrease.
RAYFORD WILKINS JR.
CEO, Diversified
Businesses
At&T
Power Move: Wilkins oversees Advertising and Publishing, Operating Services, International Investments, Sterling Commerce, and Customer Information Services. He also has oversight of Yellowpages.com L.L.C.
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LLOYD YATES
President & CEO, Progress Energy Carolinas
Progress Energy
Power Move: Yates oversees all aspects of the Carolinas delivery operations, including distribution and customer service, transmission, and products and services. He previously served as Senior Vice President, PEC, where he was responsible for managing the four regional vice presidents in the PEC organization.
TOP EXECUTIVES
RODNEY ADKINS
Senior VP, Development & Manufacturing, IBM Systems & Technology Group
IBM
Power Move: Adkins directs IBM’s global server and storage systems hardware and software development and leads the microelectronics business, including technology development and semiconductor process and manufacturing operations for specific integrated circuits.
QUINCY ALLEN
Corporate VP &
President, Production Systems Group
Xerox
Power Move: Allen is responsible for Xerox’s $5 billion global production business and directs Xerox’s efforts to leverage the complementary power of digital printing in the offset printing market, targeting key areas such as just-in-time printing, customized printing, and on-demand publishing.
PAGET L. ALVES
President, Sales & Distribution
Sprint Nextel
Power Move: Alves is accountable for all of Sprint’s sales and distribution operations, including the consumer, general business, enterprise and public sector sales segments, and all direct and indirect channels. Furthermore, he oversees services and consulting and the development of strategic alliances.
CLAIRE BABINEAUX-FONTENOT
Senior VP & Chief Tax Officer
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Power Move: Babineaux-Fontenot is responsible for the global tax function. Her team must ensure compliance with the tax laws of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, China, Japan, and the U.K.
WENDEL BARR
Executive VP & COO
Covance
Power Move: Barr is responsible for worldwide business units, including Early Development and Commercialization Services. His achievements include introducing Covance to Six Sigma and the construction of a state-of-the-art lab in Arizona.
JAMES A. BELL
Executive VP, Corporate President & CFO
The Boeing Co.
Power Move: A 36-year Boeing veteran, Bell is a seasoned executive at the world’s largest aerospace company. His expertise in business performance and strategic growth helped him serve as interim president and CEO in 2005. Today as chief financial officer, Bell is responsible for the overall financial management of Boeing, its financial reporting and transparency, and for multiple corporate functions including controller, treasury, investor relations, long-range planning, and corporate and strategic development. He also oversees two key Boeing businesses: Boeing Capital Corp. and Boeing Shared Services, a multibillion-dollar business unit that provides internal services across the company’s global enterprise.
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Y. MARC BELTON
Executive VP, Worldwide Health, Brand & New Business Development
General Mills
Power Move: Belton is responsible for global marketing functions and leads the company’s strategic health and wellness initiatives. He also oversees the company’s emerging new businesses.
TONY K. BROWN
Group VP, Global Purchasing
Ford Motor Co.
Power Move: Brown is responsible for more than $90 billion of production and nonproduction procurement for all seven Ford brands. In 2005, Brown initiated Ford’s Aligned Business Framework–long-term agreements with select suppliers to create a stronger, sustainable business model.
Glynis Bryan
Principal Financial
Officer & CFO
Insight Enterprises
Power Move: Insight Enterprises appointed Bryan as chief operating officer effective Dec. 17, 2007. Her duties include financial strategy, accounting, treasury, tax, and investor communications. Previously, she served as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Swift Transportation Co.
URSULA M. BURNS
President
Xerox
Power Move: Burns oversees research, development, engineering, marketing, and manufacturing. She also manages Global Accounts, Information Management, Corporate Strategy, Human Resources and Ethics, and Marketing Operations. Burns created the broadest portfolio in Xerox’s history, launching more than 100 products in three years.
ERIC BUTLER
VP & General Manager, Industrial Products
Union Pacific
Power Move: Butler manages the Industrial Products Group, which includes commodities such as lumber, paper, steel, and aggregates, and yielded revenues of $3.2 billion in 2007. He oversaw the research that led to the partnership between Union Pacific and the American Wind Energy Association.
PAMELA CARTER
President, Cummins Distribution Unit
Cummins
Power Move: Carter leads one of the four major business units at Cummins. She is the first woman to assume this responsibility. When she was president of Cummins’ filtration business from 2005 to 2008, she was the only woman running such a business in that particular industry.
SAMUEL COMBS III
ONEOK
Power Move: Combs oversees the operations of ONEOK’s three natural gas utilities–Oklahoma Natural Gas, Kansas Gas Service, and Texas Gas Service. He has held various engineering, marketing, and management positions, including president of Oklahoma Natural.
EDITH COOPER
Managing Director & Global Head, Human Capital Management
Goldman Sachs Group
Power Move: Cooper serves on the Goldman Sachs’ management and partnership committees. She also manages a division of more than 600 people globally.
VICTOR L. CRAWFORD
Senior VP, Worldwide Operations & System Transformation
The Pepsi Bottling Group
Power Move: Crawford oversees Pepsi Bottling Group’s market strategy, manufacturing and warehouse operations, global revenue management, and information technology. He has enabled the group to operate with more efficiency and environmental responsibility.
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GLADYS DeCLOUET
Senior VP, North American Co. Operations
Burger King Corp.
Power Move: With a strong operations and finance background, DeClouet, who began her career at British Petroleum, believes in a strategy she calls “the service-profit chain,†which focuses on increased profitability through effective leadership.
“If we take care of our people, they will do a much better job of taking care of our guests. And they will come back, which will result in higher sales and profits for us.â€
In her current post for less than a year, DeClouet is responsible for all operations and the profitability of the company-owned restaurants in the United States and Canada.
H. JAMES DALLAS
Senior VP, Quality & Operations
Medtronic
Power Move: Dallas executes cross-business initiatives that maximize Medtronic’s global operating leverage. In his role as senior vice president and chief information officer, Dallas led the IT organization and developed and implemented information technology strategies on a global basis.
CAROL ANTHONY (JOHN) DAVIDSON
Senior VP, Controller & Chief Accounting Officer
Tyco International Ltd.
Power Move: Davidson is responsible for overseeing financial reporting, internal controls, and accounting policy across Tyco’s global operations. Davidson played a key leadership role by planning and executing the spin-off of Tyco’s healthcare and electronics businesses, which were completed in June 2007.
PRESTON A. DAVIS
President, Broadcast Operations & Engineering
Disney-ABC Television Group
Power Move: Davis’ department provides personnel and technical support for the Entertainment, News, and Sports divisions of ABC. Davis is overseeing ABC’s transition from analog to digital, including the recent launch of the network’s high-definition broadcasts.
WILLIE A. DEESE
Executive VP & President, Merck Manufacturing Division
Merck
Power Move: Deese is responsible for Merck’s manufacturing operations, global procurement, and operational excellence. He serves as a member of Merck’s Management Committee and has helped Merck dramatically reduce its cost of goods, materials, and services.
LORI DICKERSON Fouché
President, Commercial Insurance, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co.
Allianz
Power Move: Dickerson Fouché is responsible for the profit and growth of the business. She leads underwriting, product management, sales and marketing, finance, claims, and operations to provide a superior customer experience.
ROBERT L. DIXON
Senior VP & Global Chief Information Officer
PepsiCo
Power Move: Dixon is responsible for directing the global IT and Enterprise Business Transformation organizations. He is at the helm of a major PepsiCo business transformation initiative and has positioned the organization to be the capability engine for PepsiCo.
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MONTE FORD
Senior VP & Chief Information Officer, American Airlines
AMR Corp.
Power Move: Ford has broad executive responsibility for AMR’s Information Technology Services, including Information Systems, Customer Technology, Decision Science, Operations Research, and Websites such as AA.com.
BENNIE FOWLER
Group VP, Global Quality
Ford Motor Co.
Power Move: Fowler is responsible for driving quality processes and discipline throughout the design and production. He is also responsible for new model launches in North America and ensuring alignment with product development. Fowler was instrumental in launching lean manufacturing initiatives.
KEN FRAZIER
Executive VP & President, Global Human Health
Merck
Power Move: Frazier oversees more than 30,000 employees and has direct responsibility for Merck’s marketing and sales worldwide. Under his leadership, Merck prepares, launches, and markets new products to maximize long-term potential.
LINDA GOODEN
Executive VP, Lockheed Martin
Information Systems & Global Services
Lockheed Martin
Power Move: Under Gooden’s leadership, IS&GS provides its federal customers with IT solutions, energy and homeland security support, business process services, and global peacekeeping.
KIM GOODMAN
Executive VP, Merchant Services, North America
American Express
Power Move: Goodman leads efforts to penetrate industries new to plastic acceptance and to enhance merchant satisfaction. She is responsible for merchant relationships in the U.S. and Canada.
MIRIAN M. GRADDICK-WEIR
Executive VP, Global Human Resources
Merck
Power Move: Graddick-Weir is responsible for global strategy, programs, and resources to support Merck’s human resources objectives, including the fostering of a high performance organization. Graddick-Weir has led the re-engineering of the HR function through the introduction of a new operating model.
GEORGE HAMILTON
President, Dow Coating Solutions
Dow Chemical
Power Move: Hamilton is responsible for the profit and loss, global business strategy, and organizational health of Dow Coating Solutions. He also leads the Dow Coatings leadership team.
MICHAEL HAMILTON
Senior VP, Equipment Solutions & Operational, AT&T Global Business Services
AT&T
Power Move: Hamilton is responsible for a portfolio of business equipment and services generating approximately $2 billion in revenues annually. His team is responsible for the engineering, pricing, and ordering of all equipment.
DARRYL B. HAZEL
Senior VP, Ford Motor Co. & President, Ford Customer Service Division
Ford Motor Co.
Power Move: Hazel is responsible for customer service, parts sales, and distribution and logistics in North America and for vehicle service and technical support operations. He was previously vice president of marketing at Ford and was responsible for Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury marketing.
BRIDGETTE HELLER
Global President, Baby Care
Johnson & Johnson
Power Move: Heller oversees Johnson & Johnson’s $2 billion baby business and the BabyCenter.com brand. Global growth has averaged more than 8% over the last two years. Heller’s team has launched new products and BabyCenter.com has expanded to more than 10 markets around the globe.
WAYNE M. HEWETT
VP, GE Supply Chain & Operations
General Electric
Power Move: Hewett leads the operations council and has held various leadership roles including president of GE Plastics Pacific and president and CEO of GE Toshiba Silicones. Hewett is a 22-year GE veteran and has received the chairman’s award for globalization.
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J. PHILLIP HOLLOMAN
President & COO
Cintas
Power Move: Holloman oversees the company’s $3 billion rental division, global accounts and strategic markets, direct sales catalog, as well as the global supply chain. As vice president of distribution/production planning, Holloman transformed the division from $8 million in the red to $3 million in the black.
DOUGLAS HOLLOWAY
President, NBC Network Distribution Partnerships and Affiliate Marketing
General Electric
Power Move: Holloway is responsible for NBC’s relations with its 233 affiliate stations and has executive oversight of the NBC affiliate marketing group.
JESSICA ISAACS
Senior VP, Field Operations & Global Reinsurance, Personal Lines Division
American International Group
Power Move: Isaacs has global responsibility for AIG’s personal lines business operations as well as responsibility for all reinsurance negotiations and treaty placements.
WILBERT JAMES JR.
President, TABC Inc.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
Power Move: James has operational control over Toyota’s first U.S. manufacturing operations, which began in 1972. TABC Inc. makes component stamped parts, steering columns, catalytic converters, coated substrates, and after-market truck bed components for Toyota vehicles.
ALAN JOHNSON
Chief Auditor
Unilever
Power Move: Johnson has assumed various management positions: vice president, finance of the global ice cream and frozen foods business group in the Netherlands; senior vice president, finance, home and personal care Europe business group in Belgium; and senior vice president, finance of the personal products Europe business group in France.
ERIC JOHNSON
President, 40-86 Advisors Inc.
Conseco
Power Move: Johnson develops and implements investment policies, strategies, and programs for the company’s $24 billion investment portfolio. Johnson also establishes guidelines and limits on various investments, supervises investment professionals, and develops investment performance objectives.
ELLIOTT LYONS
President, Commercial Vehicle Products
Leggett & Platt
Power Move: Lyons oversees the commercial vehicle products group, which delivers approximately 4% of the company’s sales. It has operations in Canada, Mexico, and throughout the U.S. Lyons also developed and implemented growth strategy to profitably double revenue of the business by the end of 2010.
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VINCENT S. LYONS
VP, Engineering & Product Development & President, Machinery & Technology Group
Leggett & Platt
Power Move: Lyons is responsible for leading product and technology development. He developed and implemented WIN 70/30 innovation strategy for the corporation and increased sales from $189 million in 2006 to $203 million in 2007.
MARK MASON
CFO & Head of Strategy and M&A, Citi Global Wealth Management
Citigroup
Power Move: Mason is responsible for all aspects of financial management, balance sheet management, accounting and control, planning and analysis, business process re-engineering and strategy, including divestitures and acquisitions.
GREGORY E. MCDANIEL
Group President, Crop Protection
Chemtura Corp.
Power Move: McDaniel is responsible for leading all of the crop protection business efforts relating to sales, marketing, technology, business development, and strategy on a global basis for the $3.7 billion specialty chemicals company.
RAYMOND MCGUIRE
Co-Head, Global Investment Banking, Institutional Clients Group
Citigroup
Power Move: McGuire is responsible for managing the coverage of global industries and clients and executing strategic transactions. He advised transactions valued at more than $125 billion, including representing Time Warner in its separation of Time Warner Cable.
GLENDA MCNEAL
Senior VP & General Manager, Retail and Emerging Industries, Establishment Services North America
American Express
Power Move: McNeal is responsible for managing and growing American Express’ strategic relationships with its largest retail merchants. She leads the group in the creation of partner programs that help key accounts increase customer spending.
LAWRENCE MCRAE
Senior VP, Strategy and Corporate Development
Corning
Power Move: McRae is responsible for all acquisitions and divestitures, along with new joint ventures. In 2006, McRae worked on the acquisition of a fiber partner in China; through the acquisition, Corning added more than 100 employees and completed an important part of its fiber division’s strategy.
RANDOLPH MELVILLE
Senior VP, Sales, Frito-Lay North America
PepsiCo
Power Move: Melville spearheads customer strategies that ensure that service and execution remain priorities. He has 11 years of sales experience at Frito-Lay and PepsiCo. His leadership style landed him a Leadership Excellence Award by the U.S. Naval Academy and Harvard Business Review in 2007.
WILLIAM MOORE
President, MetLife Auto & Home
MetLife
Power Move: Moore oversees MetLife Auto and Home’s operations, including all property and casualty products: home, condominium, boat, and personal excess liability insurance. He played a key role in growing MetLife’s sales force, increasing agent productivity, and improving distribution profitability.
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HAROLD MORRISON JR.
Executive VP & Chief Global Field Officer
Chubb Corp.
Power Move: Morrison is in charge of the company’s U.S. and international field operations. In the past year, Morrison successfully restructured the U.S. field organization to better utilize resources and to increase the efficiency of the operations.
COLBERT NARCISSE
COO, Americas Investment Banking
Merrill Lynch
Power Move: Narcisse manages competitor analysis, human resources, risk controls and expense, compliance, and real estate. He is responsible for increasing the firm’s competitive positioning and market share, as well as banker productivity assessment, client planning, and segmentation.
KIM NELSON
VP & President, Snacks Unlimited
General Mills
Power Move: As president of General Mills Snacks Unlimited Division, Nelson is responsible for the profitable growth of some of America’s favorite snack brands. Nelson’s portfolio of businesses contributes $1.1 billion in reported net sales to General Mills.
FELICIA NORWOOD
President & COO, ActiveHealth Management Inc.
Aetna
Power Move: norwood manages all of the day-to-day operations of ActiveHealth Management–a wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna–including sales, account management, IT, clinical operations, finance, marketing, communications, product management, data analytics, and human resources.
VICKI R. PALMER
Executive VP, Financial Services & Administration
Coca-Cola
Enterprises Inc.
Power Move: Palmer is responsible for overseeing the management of Coca-Cola Enterprises’ $9 billion multicurrency debt portfolio, its $5 billion pension and 401(k) plan investments, internal audit, risk management, diversity, the ombuds office, and corporate affairs.
HERBERT K. PARKER
Chief Financial Officer
Harman International
Parker is a member of this $4 billion company’s Group Executive Committee, with responsibility for directing all finance and accounting functions. This includes financial planning and forecasting, P&L reporting, auditing, treasury, and investor relations functions.
CHARLES E. PHILLIPS JR.
President
Oracle Corp.
Power Move: Phillips is responsible for Oracle’s corporate strategy and global field operations, including consulting, marketing, sales, alliances and channels, and customer programs. Under his leadership, Oracle has acquired more than nine companies.
CECIL PICKETT, M.D.
President, Research & Development
Biogen Idec
Power Move: Pickett oversees every step of Biogen Idec’s research in neurology, rheumatology, and cardiovascular areas and manages every step from initial testing and development to clinical trials and FDA applications.
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RONALD M. PIRTLE
President, Delphi Powertrain Systems, President, Delphi Europe, Middle East & Africa & VP, Delphi Corp.
Delphi Corp.
Power Move: Pirtle has responsibilities for the Middle East and Africa regions in his role as president of Delphi Europe. He’s a member of the Delphi Strategy Board, the company’s top policy-making group.
DERICA W. RICE
VP & CFO
Lilly
Power Move: During his 19-year tenure at Lilly, Rice has been praised for his leadership skills, having served as general manager for Lilly’s United Kingdom affiliate as well as executive director and chief financial officer for European operations.
His international experience has greatly shaped his leadership style. “It’s helped to develop the versatility that’s necessary–being able to deal with different business practices and different expectations,†he explains.
In his current position for three years, Rice is a member of the company’s executive team and operations committee. He manages the company’s Global Financial Operations, signing off on all financial reporting internal controls.
CATHY D. ROSS
Senior VP & CFO
FedEx Express
Power Move: Ross manages more than
DEBRA A. SANDLER
Worldwide President, McNeil Nutritionals L.L.C.
Johnson & Johnson
Power Move: Sandler is responsible for the highly successful consumer launch of Splenda in the U.S. She developed the marketing strategies to drive both the consumer and ingredient product lines in core markets. Sandler’s efforts have tuned Splenda into the No. 1 selling sugar substitute in the U.S.
BERTRAM L. SCOTT
Executive VP & Chief Institutional Development & Sales Officer
TIAA-CREF
Power Move: Scott oversees business development, sales, and marketing to current and prospective clients, retirement plan sponsors, benefit consultants, and other institutional audiences. Scott has extensive experience in all aspects of pensions, sales, and strategy.
EARL SHIPP
President, Basic Chemicals
Dow Chemical
Power Move: Shipp serves on the Business Operations Committee and leads a group of six chemical businesses. He has held various leadership positions, including vice president and site director of Dow’s Louisiana Operations and Global Operations director of the Propylene Oxide/Propylene Glycols business.
ADAM STANLEY
Global Chief Technology Officer
Aon
Power Move: Stanley provides oversight for all infrastructures, Middleware and Core Utility Technology at Aon. He manages more than 50% of the annual IT budget through his six regional teams–Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, United Kingdom, and United States.
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SHELLEY STEWART JR.
Senior VP, Operational Excellence & Chief Procurment Officer
Tyco International Ltd.
Power Move: Stewart leads Tyco’s Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, Information Technology, Working Capital, Real Estate, and Strategic Sourcing Initiatives across the company.
DENIS SUGGS
President, Belden Americas Division
Belden Corp.
Power Move: Among Suggs’ responsibilities are all aspects of management within the division including sales, marketing, R&D, and manufacturing. Since joining Belden, Suggs has contributed to Belden’s launch of several new wire and cable products.
DONALD THOMPSON
President, McDonald’s USA
McDonald’s
Power Move: Thompson is responsible for strategic direction and overall business results of 13,845 restaurants in the U.S. Previously, Thompson led the crucial reorganization of the U.S. business, now in its fourth year of positive growth.
MATTHEW THORNTON III
Senior VP, U.S. Operations
FedEx Express
Power Move: Thornton directs all strategic planning operations, sales, marketing, and engineering for the integrated network of FedEx Express Ground, Freight, Line-haul, and Ramp operations in the U.S. He plays a key role in achieving the company’s goal of increasing the U.S. export segment of FedEx.
ROLAND THORNTON
Executive VP, Wholesale Markets
Qwest Communications
Power Move: Thornton is responsible for sales, service, carrier relations, and operations for Qwest’s wholesale business. Thornton is accountable for the profit and loss for one of Qwest’s three business units; his responsibilities include annual revenue of more than $3.2 billion.
MICHAEL A. TODMAN
President, Whirlpool North America
Whirlpool
Power Move: Todman oversees the company’s North America Region, which includes about 20,000 people. Todman has held a range of roles within Whirlpool, including senior vice president of Sales and Marketing and vice president of Sears Sales and Marketing, Whirlpool North America.
SHERICE TORRES
Senior VP, Global Home Entertainment, Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products
Viacom
Power Move: Torres oversees home entertainment for MTV Network’s core brands: Nickelodeon; Nick Jr.; Comedy Central; Spike TV; Nick at Nite; and TV Land in the U.S., Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
TRACEY T. TRAVIS
Senior VP, Finance & CFO
Polo Ralph Lauren
Power Move: Travis is responsible for corporate finance worldwide, including accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury, tax, and business development. She is also responsible for investor relations and IT.
REED V. TUCKSON
Executive VP & Chief of Medical Affairs
UnitedHealth Group
Power Move: As a physician first, Tuckson focuses on the continuum of social, environmental, and medical challenges his patients and customers face daily.
“Success for me as an individual, and as a corporate executive, depends on my ability to work with colleagues to translate ideas into cost-effective health solutions.†For the last two years, Tuckson has overseen the clinically related programs of UnitedHealth Groups’ seven operating businesses and has oversight for the work of more than 10,000 clinical personnel. Tuckson plans to improve the quality and efficiency of health services in 2009 by working to “assist in the early identification of illness, and support physicians to provide quality care.â€
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JESSE TYSON
Director, Global Aviation
ExxonMobil
Power Move: Tyson manages the largest jet fuel business in the world. His scope includes marketing, operations, planning, and overall business strategy. Tyson has 1,000 employees and manages ExxonMobil or affiliates’ involvement in 250 joint ventures with a $500 million operating budget.
JEFFREY J. WEAVER
Executive VP & Group Head, Credit Portfolio Management
KeyCorp
Power Move: Weaver develops and implements economic capital optimization strategies for KeyCorp’s $50 billion wholesale credit portfolio. He identifies transactions that reduce default risk and enhance returns.
EDWARD T. WELBURN JR.
VP, Global Design
General Motors
Power Move: Welburn is responsible for the design development of all GM cars and trucks. He heads a team of more than 1,400 operating in 11 design centers in eight countries around the world. He became the sixth design leader in GM history in 2003.
MARY BETH WEST
Executive VP & Chief Marketing Officer
Kraft Foods Inc.
Power Move: West is responsible for consumer insights and strategy, integrated marketing communications, consumer services, sustainability, and the Tassimo business internationally.
ANRÉ WILLIAMS
President, Global Commercial Card Group
American Express
Power Move: Williams has overall responsibility for the division that markets American Express Corporate Card, Corporate Purchasing Solutions, and other payment products to large and mid-sized corporations. He leads a team of 2,500 employees around the globe.
KATHLEEN WILSON-THOMPSON
Senior VP, Global Human Resources
Kellogg
Power Move: A member of Kellogg’s global leadership team, Wilson-Thompson drives a number of projects critical to the company’s long-term success such as enhancing its Global Human Resources strategy, or “people strategy,†which strengthens the way Kellogg as a company approaches recruiting, retaining, and developing their employees. Wilson-Thompson is also undertaking an initiative to redesign the processes and information systems used to manage all of Kellogg’s people needs.
JIM WINESTOCK
Senior VP, Operations
UPS
Power Move: Winestock is responsible for all U.S. operations, which includes the pick up and delivery of more than 15.8 million packages each day and 358,000 employees.
Winestock has served as district manager for Northeast Texas and Missouri and as vice president and region manager in the Midwest and the North Central regions.
ALFRED W. ZOLLAR
General Manager, IBM Tivoli Software
IBM
Power Move: Zollar is responsible for the strategic direction and ongoing operations for the Tivoli software brand.
He has held several high-level positions within IBM, including senior management positions in every IBM Software Group Division.