James D. Robinson III
James D. Robinson III | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 November 1935 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | 18 March 2024 (aged 88) Roslyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Corporate executive |
| Years active | 1957–1993 |
| Known for | CEO of American Express (1977–1993) |
James Dixon Robinson III (November 19, 1935 – March 18, 2024) was an American corporate leader renowned for his role as the chief executive officer of American Express from 1977 until he stepped down in 1993.
Early life and education
Robinson was born into an affluent family in Atlanta on November 19, 1935. He attended Woodberry Forest School before earning a degree from the School of Industrial Management at Georgia Tech in 1957, where he joined the Chi Phi fraternity. Following his undergraduate studies, he served in the United States Navy and subsequently obtained an MBA from Harvard University in 1961.
American Express
Robinson held the position of Chairman and CEO at American Express for nearly sixteen years, having progressed through multiple roles within the company. He attained the leadership role after his rival, Robert Morley, failed in an aggressive takeover attempt of McGraw-Hill. Throughout his leadership, Robinson spearheaded several significant acquisitions, including Shearson Lehman, IDS, First Data Corporation, and the Swiss-based Trade Development Bank. Together with Steve Ross, he co-founded Warner-Amex. Robinson was also a central figure during the RJR Nabisco leveraged buyout saga, which was famously depicted in Barbarians at the Gate. In the 1993 film adaptation, actor Fred Thompson portrayed him.
Towards the conclusion of his tenure, Robinson acknowledged that his "major miscalculation was ‘a focus on overly rapid growth.’"
Other positions
In 1975, Robinson became a member of the board at The Coca-Cola Company. He co-established RRE Ventures, a private venture capital firm specializing in IT investments, alongside his son James D. Robinson IV and Stuart J. Ellman. Additionally, he led J.D. Robinson, Inc., a strategic consulting enterprise, and held directorship and chairmanship roles at both Bristol-Myers Squibb and Violy, Byorum & Partners, which operates in South America.
Robinson also served on the board of PrimeRevenue and acted as honorary chairman for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. His professional affiliations included membership in the Business Council and the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as honorary trusteeships at the Brookings Institution and the World Travel & Tourism Council, which he helped establish. Previously, he co-chaired the Business Roundtable and chaired the Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations. Furthermore, he contributed to Jefferies Group’s global senior advisory board.
Personal life
Robinson wed Bettye Bradley in 1957, and together they had two children before their marriage ended in divorce in 1983. The following year, in July 1984, he married Linda Gosden Robinson, with whom he also had two children.
In 1991, the American Academy of Achievement honored Robinson with the Golden Plate Award, which was presented by Henry Kravis.
Robinson passed away on March 18, 2024, at a hospital in Roslyn, New York, due to respiratory failure caused by pneumonia. He was 88 years old.