Martha Rivers Ingram

Martha Robinson Rivers Ingram
Born	(1935-08-20) August 20, 1935 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Business magnate, philanthropist
Years active	1957–present
Known for	Chairman and CEO of Ingram Industries

Martha Robinson Rivers Ingram (born August 20, 1935) is an American business magnate and philanthropist with billionaire status. In 1995, she took over as chairman and CEO of Ingram Industries, one of the largest privately owned firms in the United States, following the passing of her husband. She has co-written three publications, which include biographies and a historical account of the performing arts in Nashville, Tennessee.

Early life

Originating from Charleston, South Carolina, she is the daughter of John Minott Rivers and Martha Elizabeth Robinson. Ingram attended Ashley Hall and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Vassar College in 1957.

Career

Upon completing her studies, Ingram began her career at WCSC-AM/FM and WCSC-TV, media outlets under her father’s ownership. In 1979, her husband appointed her as director of public affairs at Ingram Industries. She ascended to the roles of chairman and CEO after his death in 1995.

In 2001, Ingram published a biography about her husband. Her 2004 work explored Nashville’s performing arts prior to the American Civil War, contending that the industry never fully recuperated after the conflict. In 2006, she released a biography on Kenneth Schermerhorn, who served as music director for the Nashville Symphony.

Philanthropy

Ingram played a key role in founding the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which opened its doors in 2005. She held the position of Chairman of the Board of Trust at Vanderbilt University located in Nashville. The Blair School of Music benefited from a $300 million donation in company stock from Ingram’s enterprise.

Acknowledged by Business Week as the 50th most generous donor between 2000 and 2004, Ingram received the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award from the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in 2006. Additionally, she was honored with the Eli & Edythe Broad Award for Philanthropy in the Arts.

Awards and honors

• 1999 – Inducted into South Carolina Business Hall of Fame
• 1999 – Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame honoree
• 2004 – Recipient of the Golden Plate Award from the Academy of Achievement, presented by Naomi Judd
• 2017 – Inducted into Music City Walk of Fame

Personal life

On October 4, 1958, she wed E. Bronson Ingram II (1931–1995) at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Her husband descended from a prominent business lineage: son of Orrin Henry Ingram, Sr., grandson of Erskine B. Ingram, and great-grandson of Orrin Henry Ingram. Together they had four children:

• Orrin H. Ingram II (born 1960), serving as CEO of Ingram Industries and chairman of Ingram Barge Company.
• John R. Ingram (born ), chairman of Ingram Content Group, Lightning Source, and Ingram Industries.
• David Bronson Ingram (born ), chairman and president of Ingram Entertainment.
• Robin Ingram Patton.

Political activity

In 2015, Ingram contributed financially to Megan Barry’s mayoral campaign in Nashville as a supporter of the Democratic candidate.