Frank T. Cary
Frank T. Cary | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Gooding, Idaho, U.S. |
| Died | January 1, 2006 (aged 85) Darien, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1948–1991 |
| Known for | Chairman and CEO of IBM |
Frank T. Cary (December 14, 1920 – January 1, 2006) was a prominent American business leader and corporate executive. He held the positions of Chairman and CEO at IBM, serving as Chairman from 1973 until 1983 and as CEO from 1973 to 1981.
Early life and education
Born on December 14, 1920, in Gooding, Idaho, Frank Taylor Cary relocated with his family to Inglewood, California early in life. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1943 and later obtained an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1948.
IBM
Cary began his career at IBM in 1948 as a sales representative based in Los Angeles. Over time, he progressed through multiple leadership roles, becoming president of the Data Processing Division by 1964. He advanced to senior vice president in 1967, joined IBM's board of directors in 1968, and was appointed to the Corporate Office and Management Review Committee. In January 1973, he assumed the dual roles of Chairman and CEO.
Under Cary’s leadership, IBM saw significant expansion in its product offerings, revenue streams, and profitability. He spearheaded the creation of a dedicated team within IBM tasked with developing competitive strategies against Apple. Although he relinquished the CEO role in 1981, Cary continued to serve on IBM's board until 1991.
Boards and Committees
From 1986 to 1990, Cary chaired the biotechnology company Celgene Corporation. He was also active as a member of the Steering Committee for the Bilderberg Group.
In addition, Cary became part of the MIT Corporation in 1974 and was granted life membership a decade later in 1984. His contributions included participation on committees such as Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
His board memberships extended to major corporations including JP Morgan, ABC, and Texaco, alongside nonprofit institutions like the American Museum of Natural History and Rockefeller University.
Personal life and death
Frank Cary was married to Anne (Curtis) Cary, with whom he had four children: three sons and one daughter. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoyed skiing, tennis, and golf. He died at age 85 at his residence in Darien, Connecticut on New Year's Day in 2006.