James McNerney

Walter James "Jim" McNerney, Jr., is an American businessman. On June 30, 2005 he was named the CEO of The Boeing Company. Prior to that, McNerney was the Chairman and Chief Executive of 3M. He had been a member of the Boeing board of directors since 2001. He is also a member of the board of directors of Procter & Gamble. McNerney is a current member of the Northwestern University Board of Trustees.

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McNerney, 58, oversees the strategic direction of the Chicago-based, $61.5 billion aerospace company. With more than 153,000 employees, Boeing is the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, with capabilities in rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites and advanced information and communications systems. From 2001 to 2005, McNerney held the position as chairman of the board and CEO of 3M, a $20 billion global technology company with leading positions in electronics, telecommunications, industrial, consumer and office products, health care, safety and other businesses.

McNerney joined General Electric in 1982. There, he held top executive positions including president and CEO of GE Aircraft Engines and GE Lighting; president of GE Asia-Pacific; president and CEO of GE Electrical Distribution and Control; executive vice president of GE Capital, one of the world's largest financial service companies; and president of GE Information Services. McNerney competed with Bob Nardelli and Jeff Immelt to succeed the retiring Jack Welch as chairman and CEO of General Electric. When Immelt won the three-way succession race, McNerney and Nardelli left GE (as was Welch's plan).

In his spare time McNerney enjoys sailing with his family, golfing, and watching hockey, one of his favorite sports, on television.

After graduating from New Trier High School^[1][2], McNerney earned a B.A. degree from Yale University in 1971 and an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1975 [1]. During his tenure at Yale, McNerney excelled in two varsity sports, baseball and hockey. Between Yale and Harvard, he worked for a year at both British United Provident and G. D. Searle & Co.. McNerney is married and has five children.

References

1. ^ The Hard Work In Leadership. BusinessWeek. Retrieved on 2007-09-30.
2. ^ Lofty expectations await Boeing CEO. Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved on 2007-09-30.