Charles Anderson (businessman)

Charles Anderson
Born November 14, 1917
Columbus, Ohio
Died April 17, 2009 (aged 91)
Palo Alto, California
Nationality American
Institutions Magna Power Tool Company
Stanford Business School
Kern Country Land Company
SRI International
Alma mater University of California, Berkeley
Harvard Business School

Charles A. "Charlie" Anderson (November 14, 1917 - April 17, 2009) was the CEO and president of SRI International from 1968 to 1980.[1]

Early life and education

Anderson was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 14, 1917; his family moved to Berkeley, California not long thereafter.[1] Anderson graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1938 with a bachelor of science in chemistry,[2] and then graduated from Harvard Business School in 1940 with a master's of business administration.[1][3]

Early career

After graduating from Harvard, Anderson married Betty Rushforth in 1942 and served in the United States Navy during World War II. Upon his return from the war, he was an assistant professor of business administration at Harvard.[1]

In 1948, Anderson moved back to California, and was a vice president of Magna Power Tool Company, which was purchased by Yuba Consolidated Industries in 1958. From 1958 to 1961, he joined the Stanford Business School as the department's associate dean and a professor of business administration.[1][4]

Later career

In 1961, he became the vice president of finance for Kern Country Land Company. He was subsequently the CEO of Kern Country's subsidiaries Walker Manufacturing and J.I. Case.[1] Kern Country was purchased by Tenneco in August 1967.[5]

In 1968, Anderson became the CEO of SRI International, a position he held until his retirement in 1980.[1] Anderson was also on numerous corporate boards, including Conoco, Boise Cascade, Eaton Corporation, NCR Corporation, Owens Corning, Saga Foods (purchased by Marriott Corporation), and Kansai Research Institute (now KRI, Inc.).[1][6]

Awards and memberships

Anderson served on the Air Force Systems Command Board of Visitors, and was given an Air Force Exceptional Service Award as a result.[1] He was also named Bay Area Harvard Business School Business Statesman of the Year.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Charles Anderson". San Francisco Chronicle (Legacy.com). 2009-04-21. Retrieved 2012-07-01. Charles Anderson Of Palo Alto, CA, passed away April 17, 2009, at the age of 91. In his lifetime he was a successful businessman, a devoted ...
  2. ↑ "In Memoriam". Catalyst 4 (2) (University of California, Berkeley College of Chemistry). Fall 2009 – Winter 2010. p. 26. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  3. ↑ "In Memoriam". SRI Alumni Newsletter. SRI Alumni Association. August 2009. p. 10.
  4. ↑ "Obituaries". Stanford Magazine (Stanford University). Sep–Oct 2009. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  5. ↑ "Tenneco Inc.". Funding Universe. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  6. ↑ Sheeline, William E (1988-12-05). "Directors On The Spot". Fortune (CNN Money). Retrieved 2012-04-01.