Robert Hanson
 Robert Hanson  (businessman) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | c. 1925 East Moline, Illinois, US |
| Died | 2016 (Age 91) |
| Nationality | US |
| Member of | Council on Foreign Relations/Historical Members |
Attended the 1982 Bilderberg as President and CEO of agricultural machinery producer John Deere. | |
Robert A. Hanson was President and CEO of John Deere[1] when he attended the 1982 Bilderberg.
Career
He began his career with Deere in 1950, with various assignments in Moline (Deere HQ Illinois), Mexico, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, In 1964, he took over Deere's operations in Spain, and in 1966, became marketing director of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He returned to Moline in 1970, was elected Senior Vice President in 1972, and given responsibility for the firm's overseas division in 1973. He was elected to the board of directors in 1974, succeeded Ellwood Curtis as president in 1978, becoming the first company president not related to John Deere. The following year he was named president and chief executive officer, and after William Hewitt's retirement in 1982, he was elected chairman and chief executive officer.He retired as chairman in 1990.[2][3]
Hanson was a board member for the Committee for Economic Development, the President's Commission on Industrial Competiveness, the Iowa High Technology Commission, the Mayo Foundation, Augustana College Agenda for Leadership and Authentically Augustana programs, and The Conference Board. He served on the board of directors for several companies, including Merrill Lynch, R. R. Donnelley and Son, Procter and Gamble, Texas Instruments, and Continental Illinois Corp., and was a member of the International Council of J. P. Morgan, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Business Council. He co-founded the Business Council of Retired CEOs.
He died aged 91.
Event Participated in
| Event | Start | End | Location(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilderberg/1982 | 14 May 1982 | 16 May 1982 | Norway Sandefjord | The 30th Bilderberg, held in Norway. |
