Peter E. Haas
Peter E. Haas Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 December 1918 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | 3 December 2005 (aged 86) |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1958–1989 |
| Known for | Leadership roles at Levi Strauss & Co. |
Peter E. Haas Sr. (December 20, 1918 – December 3, 2005) was a prominent American billionaire and business executive who held multiple leadership positions at Levi Strauss & Co. His roles included executive vice president from 1958 to 1970, president between 1970 and 1981, CEO from 1976 through 1981, and chairman from 1981 until 1989.
Biography
Born into a Jewish family in San Francisco, Haas was one of three siblings born to Walter A. Haas and Elise Stern. He was directly descended as the great-grandnephew of Levi Strauss, the founder of the denim company Levi Strauss & Co, as well as the great-grandson of David Stern. Haas completed his secondary education at Deerfield Academy before earning a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1940. After a brief period in advertising, he pursued an MBA at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, graduating as a Baker Scholar in 1943. Post-World War II, he joined Levi Strauss & Co alongside his brother, Walter A. Haas Jr..
During his tenure, Haas guided Levi Strauss & Co to become one of the pioneering American apparel firms to integrate its workforce in the Southern United States ahead of the civil rights era. He served on the board and as president from 1970 to 1981, took on the CEO role from 1976 to 1981, and continued as chairman until 1989. Subsequently, he was chairman of the executive committee until his passing.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Haas was deeply involved in philanthropy and education. He acted as a trustee for the UC Berkeley Foundation during two periods (1966–1975 and 1994–1997) and supported San Francisco Aid for Retarded Children, motivated by his son Michael’s developmental challenges. Between 1976 and 1978, he led the Jewish Welfare Federation as president—an organization co-founded by his grandfather, Abraham Haas.
Personal life
Haas was married twice and fathered three children with his first wife, Josephine Baum from Kaw City, Oklahoma: Peter E. Haas Jr., adopted daughter Margaret E. Haas, and Michael Stern Haas (who predeceased him). His son Peter held various positions within Levi Strauss & Co and was married to Joanne Christensen. Through his second marriage to Miriam "Mimi" Lurie, Haas gained two stepsons: Ari Lurie and Daniel Lurie. Upon his death in 2005, a memorial service was held at Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco. Ownership of his Levi Strauss shares passed to his wife and children; Mimi Haas, Peter Haas Jr., Margaret E. Haas, along with cousin Robert D. Haas collectively control 43% of the company’s stock and participate on its board.
Awards and honors
- 1996 – Received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement
- 1996 – Honored with the Berkeley Medal, UC Berkeley’s highest accolade, and named "Alumnus of the Year"
- 2001 – Recognized by the Haas School of Business as "Business Leader of the Year" and awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award