50 top black executives in corporate America

THE Black men and women who make it to the top in corporate America occupy the lofty executive suites reserved for the most talented and most accomplished in America's work force. Part of a powerful, elite group, they are frontline managers and corporate executive officers who help make the important business decisions that affect not only the financial bottom line of their respective companies, but also the millions of Americans whose lives are affected or influenced by these companies.

To commemorate our year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of Johnson Publishing Company, EBONY is honoring the top 50 Black executives in corporate America who symbolize the process we have made as a people and as a nation during the past 50 years.

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Most men and women who pursue careers in corporate America will not make it to the top. Those who do must demonstrate talent, good judgment, resourcefulness, and guts. George Lewis, vice president and treasurer of Philip Morris Companies, Inc., says success requires hard work, total commitment, clear goals, and an understanding of what it takes to achieve them. "Prepare to seize opportunities as they arise," he advises. "You also must be willing to take risks, learning from both failures and successes."

Anyone aspiring to a business career can take inspiration from these top Black executives, for they have proven that they have what it takes to excel despite the odds.

Teachers Insurance: Clifton R. Wharton (above) is chairman and CEO of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund. The $70 billion New York-based firm is the nation's oldest private pension fund company. Wharton became the first African-American to head a Fortune 500 service company when he assumed the top post in 1987.

American Express: Kenneth I. Chenault (above) is president of the Consumer Card and Financial Services Group, USA, of the American Express Company's Travel Related Services Division. Chenault, who is based in New York City, is also chairman of AMEX Life Assurance Co. and president of American Express Centurion Bank.

Ameritech: Roger L. Plummer (right) is president and CEO of Ameritech Information Systems in Chicago, where he heads the parent company of the Bell Telephone companies in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. He leads a work force of more than 15,000 employes.

Johnson & Johnson: Alfred T. Mays is president of Chicopee Worldwide, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, which is based in New Brunswick, N.J. Mays is responsible for all business operations of Chicopee U.S.A. and Chicopee Europe.

Coca Cola: Carl Ware (above) is deputy group president, Northeast Europe/Africa Group, and senior vice president of The Coca-Cola Company. Ware, who has operational responsibilities for 44 African countries, is based in Windsor, England.

Baxter International: Michele J. Hooper (left) is president of Baxter Corporation, the Canadian subsidiary of Baxter International, the $6.2 billion health-care products manufacturer and marketer. She is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario.

Xerox: A. Barry Rand is group vice president of Xerox Corporation and president of the company's U.S. Marketing Group, based in Rochester, N.Y., with a team of 35,000 staffers responsible for sales, service, administration and distribution of Xerox products.

Campbell Soup: Brenda E. Edgerton is vice president and treasurer of the Campbell Soup Company based in Camden, N.J., where she is responsible for all financings, investments, pension funding and cash management.

Walt Disney: Richard D. Nanula is senior vice president and chief financial officer of The Walt Disney Company, based in Burbank, Calif., where he oversees financings, cash management, pension and other investments.

Philip Morris: George R. Lewis is vice president and treasurer of Philip Morris Companies Inc., headquartered in New York City, where he is responsible for the company's worldwide treasury activities.

American Airlines: Luther G. Brewster is managing director, aircraft maintenance, for American Airlines, based in Chicago, where he oversees 500 employes.

Amtrak: William S. Norman is executive vice president of the National Railroad Passenger Corp., based in Washington, D.C. He oversees seven vice presidents.

Anheuser-Busch: Wayman F. Smith III is vice president of corporate affairs, Anheuser-Busch Companies in St. Louis, and board member of Anheuser-Busch, Inc.

AT&T: Curtis J. Crawford is vice president of AT&T Microelectronics division, based in Berkeley Heights, N.J. He is responsible for the sales and marketing team.

Borden: Judy Barker is vice president of corporate social responsibility for Borden Inc., based in Columbus, Ohio, and president of the Borden Foundation.

Bristol-Myers Squibb: Gilroye A. Griffin Jr. is vice president for corporate employe relations, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, based in New York City.

Chrysler: Leroy C. Richie is vice president and general counsel for automotive legal affairs at the Chrysler Corporation based in Highland Park, Mich.