Yoshimitsu Kobayashi: Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Chief

Yoshimitsu Kobayashi studied at the University of Tokyo and graduated in 1969.  He then went on to earn a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Science in 1971 from the same university. Yoshimitsu gained further knowledge studying Radiation Physics in 1973 at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel and at Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy. He earned a PhD in 1975 from the University of Tokyo.

 He started his career with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation in 1974 and held various positions in the company. Yoshimitsu was promoted to general manager of the storage media department in 1996. He was appointed chief technology officer in 2005. 

Yoshimitsu served as president and chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and the president of Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Co. In April 2007 he became responsible for the whole Group becoming president and CEO of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings.

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings is one of the largest chemical companies in the world. Yoshimitsu has continued to grow the company through acquisitions and strategic partnerships.

Alex Molinaroli: Johnson Controls CEO

Alex Molinaroli was born on October 7, 1959 in Parkersburg, West Virginia. His leaning was in the area of math and science graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Southern California in 1983. Alex went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.  

While many career executives move from one company to another in search of greener pasture, Alex stuck to one firm and steadily rose through the ranks. In 1983 he joined Johnson Controls. He was exposed to multiple operations in the company holding positions in control systems, service sales, and operations.

Alex pushed for the development of consistent and effective sales management disciplines within Johnson Controls and worked to expand that consistent approach on a global basis. This involved more than 300 sales offices in almost 50 countries.

By January 2007 Alex became President of Johnson Controls Power Solutions business until January 2013. He was then named Vice Chairman of the company in January 2013. Johnson Control announced on July 2013 that Alex would become the CEO on October 1, and Chairman of the Board on January 1, 2014.

Alex has been very interested in electricity and batteries. With the Johnson Controls research lab he has been looking into what the battery-powered future might hold for a good number of years already. He is also the co-founder of the Electrification Coalition.

Johnson Controls operates in the global arena being a diversified technology and industrial frontrunner providing service to clients in over 150 countries. It employs around 170,000 individuals. The company’s focus is to create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles, and interior systems for automobiles.  The company traces its roots to the invention of the first electric room thermostat in 1885. 

Tan Ruisong: AviChina Industry & Technology Company Limited President

Large corporations are headed by people who are good in management and business. A purely technical expert without leadership skills will not be able to get the job done. Many executives do possess technical skills and expertise and while climbing the corporate ladder also learn and display the leadership and business skills needed.

Tan Ruisong is both a leader and a person with technical expertise. He is the vice chairman of the Board and president of AviChina Industry & Technology Company Limited otherwise known as AviChina. Tan is a researcher level senior engineer. In 1983 he graduated from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics with a bachelor’s degree majoring in manufacture and designs of engines. Tan earned his master degree in shipping and ocean engineering and Ph.D. degree in management science and engineering from Harbin Engineering University in 2002 and 2006, respectively.

He began his career in the aviation industry in July 1983 and was previously deputy chief engineer and deputy general manager of Harbin Dongan Engine Manufacturing Company. He has held various positions in the said company.

AviChina was established in Beijing, China on April 30, 2003 and has been listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since October 2003. It is one of the largest companies in the world and produces helicopters, trainers, general-purpose aircraft, and related products. 

Robert A. Iger: Leading Disney

You may think of Walt Disney as about fun and games and entertainment. Behind that image projected is a huge company where earning money is serious business. The man leading Walt Disney Company which is reportedly the world’s largest media company is chairman and CEO Robert Allen “Bob” Iger.

Bob was born on February 10, 1951 in Long Island, New York. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Television & Radio from Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications, magna cum laude. At a local television company Bob started his career as a weatherman.  His destiny was not to be a successful anchor man but a successful business executive.

Bob joined ABC in 1974 and worked his way up the corporate ladder. From 1993 to 1994 he was president of ABC Network Television Group after which he was appointed president and chief operating officer of Capital Cities/ABC, the corporate parent of ABC. The Walt Disney Company bought Capital/ABC and renamed it ABC, Inc. in 1996. Bob remained as president until 1999.

While some top executives become adversely affected by change of company ownership, it wasn’t the case with Bob. Disney named him president of Walt Disney International in February 25, 1999. This is the business unit that overseas Disney’s international operations. Bob was also named chairman of ABC Group.

He became the president and chief operating officer of Disney in January 25, 2000 effectively becoming the number two man in the company. Bob became the CEO of Walt Disney Company in March 13, 2005. Among the moves he pledged was to disband the strategic planning division of the company and restore much of the decision making-authority to the company’s individual business units.

Bob also reconciled with former board members Roy E. Disney and Stanley Gold who were critical of the previous leadership.  Under his command Disney acquired Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009) and Lucasfilm (2012) which have proven to be very beneficial acquisitions.

Bob still leads Walt Disney Company providing the world with fun and entertainment while also taking care of the serious side of business. 

Carsten Spohr: Lufthansa Head

Carsten Spohr was born on December 16, 1966 in Wanne-Eickel, Germany. He earned a degree in industrial engineering at Karlsruhe University. He then qualified for a commercial airlines pilot’s license from the Lufthansa Flight Training School in Bremen and Phoenix. Carsten subsequently completed a management training course at Deutsche Aerospace AG in Munich.  He holds a Lufthansa captain’s license for the aircraft of the Airbus A320 family.

He took over the personnel recruiting department of Lufthansa in October 1994. Carsten was a personal assistant to the CEO and Chairman of Lufthansa from 1995 to 1998. He then assumed responsibility in August 1998 for Lufthansa’s partnerships in Europe as Head of Regional Partner Management. Carsten became Vice President for Alliances & Cooperations in February 2000, with responsibility for managing and coordinating Lufthansa’s partners worldwide, including the Star Alliance and regional partners.

More promotions came along the way. He was appointed CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Cargo in January 2007. In January 2011, Carsten became a Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG and CEO of Lufthansa German Airlines.

Carsten finally got the top position of CEO of Europe’s largest airline by volume, Deutsche Lufthansa AG on February 2014. He has the challenge task of continuing the restructuring plan initiated by his predecessor and finding innovative ways to deal with fierce competitors.

Kuniharu Nakamura: Sumitomo CEO

Kuniharu Nakamura earned a BA in Economics from Osaka University in March 1974.  In April he joined Sumitomo Corporation. Like many Japanese corporate executives he has stayed with the company throughout his career and this loyalty has paid off ultimately landing his the top executive post.

Nakamura became the General Manager of Motor Vehicle Department No. 1 in 1998 and became the general manager of other motor vehicle departments the following years. He also held roles in planning and administration. In April 2005 Nakamura became Executive Officer, General Manager for the Corporate Planning and Coordination Department.  In April 2007 he became the Managing Executive Officer of the same department.

More promotions came along the way. Nakamura became the Senior Managing Executive Officer, General Manager of the Mineral Resources, Energy, Chemical & Electronics Business Unit in April 2009. In June of the same year he became a Representative Director.

Nakamura was Representative Director, Executive Vice President, General Manager of the Mineral Resources, Energy, Chemical & Electronics Business Unit in April 2012. Finally on June of the same year he became the President and CEO of Sumitomo Corporation.

Under his leadership the company has expanded and diversified through strategic partnerships, acquisitions and development of new customer focused services.  In August 2012 Nakamura stated that one of its subsidiaries, Summit Petroleum Ltd., had completed an agreement with Nippon Exploration to exchange interests in two different fields, thereby strengthening the company’s business in the UK North Sea. 

He also announced in November 2012, a joint venture with National Atomic Company had completed the construction of its first factory and would soon be ready to separate rare earth elements from uranium-ore residue. In January 2013 Nakamura announced that the company had created a joint venture with PT Sumitomo Indonesia to create an e-commerce website catering to the Indonesian market.  The site, Sukamart, would provide more than 1,000 items delivered directly to customers within two days. In February 2013 he also reported that the company had begun an expansion of its Philippine Industrial Park.

Given the present environment Nakamura strongly believes in addressing the issue and taking the initiative. 

Cao Peixi: China Huangeng Corporation Chairman

Cao Peixi is not a familiar name to many. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Shandong University. Cao also earned a post graduate degree of master engineering issued by the Party School of the Central Committee and is a researcher-level senior engineer.

He was previously the Vice President and President of China Huadian Corporation and Chairman of Huadian Power International Corporation Limited.  Cao is currently the Chairman of China Huaneng Group. He is also the President of Huangeng Group and Chairman of HIPDC and Huaneng Renewables Co., Ltd.

China Huaneng Group Corporations is one of the five largest state-owned electric utility enterprises in China. It is administered by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, engaging in the investment, construction, operation and management of power generation assets and the production and sales of electricity power. The company was founded in 1985 and has headquarters in Beijing.

The firm handles the interest of the national government in 10 subsidiaries, including a 51 percent stake in Huaneng Power International. Through its subsidiaries it develops and operates more than 85 thermal and hydropower plants.

Ranked in global terms Cao carries a lot responsibilities, Fortune magazine ranges China Huaneng Group as one of the largest corporations in the world.

Louis D’Ambrosio: Moving On

There are people who just seemed destined for the big-time. They are at the top at what they do. These kinds of talents get recognized and many doors are opened for which other will not have the opportunity to pass through.

This can be said of Louis D’Ambrosio. His academic credentials put him in the exclusive lane of career high fliers. Louis earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University, Summa cum laude and Valedictorian.

After college he joined IBM and worked there for 16 years. He left IBM in August 2002, by that time Louis was responsible for worldwide sales and marketing for the company’s $12 billion software group. Having reached this high level of work responsibility and experience it was only natural that he would be dealing with companies will multi-billion dollar sales.

Louis next became involved with business communications company Avaya. He was head of Avaya’s $2 billion Global Services business unit composed of 7,000 professionals across the full life-cycle of services, including network consulting, integration, maintenance and managed services. Louis then became President of Global Sales and Marketing.  He finally got the top positions of President and CEO of Avaya in July 2006.

While this would have been a life-time goal or achievement for some; as for Louis he moved on and joined Sears Holdings in February in 2011 as CEO.  This firm operates 2,600 stores in the U.S. and Canada with its Sears and Kmart chains.

This was a challenging job as Sears Holdings was for years experiencing declining sales. As mentioned by the Chairman of Sears, Louis helped Sears become a more customer-focused company. Sales though did not improve and in fact continued to decline. Share price of the company was beginning to rise despite losses.  Due to health issues involving his family Louis decided to step down in February 2012.

It was a short stint at Sears but he had now moved on and it was publicly announced on August 19, 2013 that he will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Sensus “a leading provider of clean-technology solutions” based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Franco Bernabé: Italian Executive

Franco Bernabé was born on September 18, 1948 in Vipiteno/Sterzing, Italy.  In 1973 he graduated from the University of Turin and worked as a post-graduate fellow in economics at the Einaudi Foundation from 1973 to 1975. Franco received an honorary Doctor’s degree in Environment Sciences from the University of Parma.

He began his career as a Senior Economist at the OECD Department of Economics and Statistics in Paris. Franco later worked in the planning department of Fiat as a Chief Economist.  He joined Eni in 1983 as an Assistant to the Chairman and became subsequently the Head of Corporate Planning, Financial Control and Corporate Development.

He is best known in Italy for turning around oil company Eni SpA (ENI), overseeing its privatization and making it one of the world’s largest companies by market value.  His stint as CEO of Telecom Italia, the biggest phone company in Italy has not been as successful.  Franco resigned as CEO in October 2013 after clashing with top shareholders in his attempt to boost capital.

He took over a company with a big debt burden and while he made gains in Latin America, overall the debt burden was not fully addressed.  With a severance pay of 3.7 million euros and 2.9 million euros 12- month non-compete agreement it’s not as bad as it seems.

Franco is still active with various business interests.