Samuel J. Palmisano | |
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Palmisano in March 2013.
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Born |
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
July 29, 1951
Residence | Southport, Connecticut, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Education | Bachelor of Arts (1973) |
Alma mater | Johns Hopkins University |
Years active | 1973–present |
Employer | IBM (1973–2012) |
Home town | Baltimore, Maryland, US |
Salary | $1.8 million (2009) |
Title | Chairman |
Predecessor | Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. |
Successor | Virginia M. Rometty |
Board member of |
IBM Corporation, 2000 ExxonMobil Corp., 2006 |
Spouse(s) | Gaier Notman, known as Missy |
Children | three sons, one daughter |
Website |
IBM - Samuel J. Palmisano IBM Archives: Samuel J. Palmisano |
Notes | |
Samuel J. Palmisano (born July 30, 1951?) was president and chief executive officer of IBM until January 2012. He also served as Chairman of the company until October 1, 2012.
Palmisano was appointed president and chief operating officer (COO) effective in October 2000. He was promoted to CEO in March 2002, while retaining the title of president, and named chairman effective January 1, 2003. Palmisano announced on October 25, 2011 that he was stepping aside as president and CEO. He was succeeded in these positions by Ginni Rometty.
As of 2009 IBM was the largest IT company in the world and 45th largest company overall.
Palmisano grew up in a large Italian-American middle class family in Baltimore, Maryland. His father owned a body shop.
As an offensive lineman at Calvert Hall College High School in Baltimore, Maryland he prepared earnestly, studying pregame scouting reports and seldom missed a blocking assignment. He was also a union musician, and once played backup saxophone for The Temptations.
He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Johns Hopkins University where he was member of Beta Theta Pi. He also played football (center, offensive tackle, team co-captain) there, and turned down an opportunity to try out with the Oakland Raiders.