James T. Ryan

James T. Ryan (born 1958) is an American businessman in the industrial distribution industry.

Ryan has a Bachelor of Science in Business from Miami University and an MBA (with Distinction) from DePaul University, Chicago.

Ryan has been President (since 2006), Chief Executive Officer (since 2008) and Chairman of the Board (since 2009), of W. W. Grainger Inc. Richard L. Keyser was CEO prior to him and thereafter became Chairman Emeritus.

Ryan is a Trustee of both the: Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and DePaul University. In addition he is a member of: the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Economic Club of Chicago, and the Business Roundtable. He is a Business Advisory Council member for the Farmer School of Business at Miami University and sits on the Department of Defense’s Advisory Board. Ryan’s total compensation for 2013 was $8,169,382.

Prior to his current executive roles at the firm, Ryan held the positions of: Chief Operating Officer, member of Board of Directors, Group President, Executive Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service (for Grainger Industrial Supply), Chief Information Officer, President of Grainger.com, VP of Information Services, and President of Grainger Parts. He joined the firm in 1980 in the product management sector.

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