Ralph Owen(1905–1983) was an American businessman. He served as the Chairman ofAmerican Express(NYSE:AXP).
Ralph Owen | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 3, 1905 |
| Died | 1983 Nashville, Tennessee,U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Early life
editOwen was born on October 3, 1905, inHartsville, Tennessee.[1]He had two brothers, Robert E. Owen and Roy Owen, and two sisters, Mrs. Mark Lowrey and Mrs. Pat W. Swaney.[1]He graduated fromVanderbilt UniversityinNashville, Tennessee,in 1928.[1]
Career
editIn 1930, Owen founded the Equitable Securities Corporation of Nashville, an investment bank offering credit cards, travel and banking services. It merged withAmerican Expressin 1968.[1]Later, he served as the Chairman of American Express.[1][2]
Additionally, Owen served on the board of directors of the Nashville Gas Company, the R. C. Owen Company and Tennessee Natural Gas Lines Inc.[1]
Philanthropy
editOwen sat on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Vanderbilt University, and later as the President of its Board of Trust.[1][3]TheOwen Graduate School of Managementwas renamed in his honor in 1977.[4]Additionally, theRalph Owen Chairis also named in his honor; it is currently by Professor Eric Johnson, Dean of the Owen Graduate School of Management.[5]
Personal life
editOwen was married to Lulu Hampton.[1]They had a son, Ralph Owen Jr., and a daughter, Melinda Bass.[1]They resided at Brook Hill in Nashville, Tennessee.[1][6]
Death
editOwen died at theVanderbilt University Hospitalin 1983.[1]
References
edit- ^abcdefghijkRalph Owen, 78, Dies; Led American Express,The New York Times,November 7, 1983
- ^Peter Z. Grossman,American Express: The People Who Built the Great Financial Empire,Beard Books, 1987, p. 371[1]
- ^G. Alexander Heard,Speaking of the University: Two Decades at Vanderbilt,Nashville, Tennessee: Vanderbilt University Press, 1995, p. xiii[2]
- ^Vanderbilt University: Owen Graduate School of Management
- ^Owen Graduate School of Management: Endowed Chairs
- ^Nashville: a short history and selected buildings,Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County, 1974, p. 191[3]