Great American Corporations

and the Pioneers Who Led Them to Success

David Jones

9:15-10:15 am | Wednesdays, September 25 through November 20

This series explores iconic American corporations that shaped industries and the global economy across more than two centuries. From DuPont and Procter and Gamble to IBM and Walmart, the lectures delve into the rich history, visionary leaders, and transformative innovations that propelled these companies to greatness, offering a better understanding of their contributions to American business and their enduring legacy. The focus is on the pioneers and the early, most transformative years.

1. E.I. du Pont de Nemours, Inc. (now DowDuPont Inc.) - Founded in 1802 by E. I. du Pont. Leaders like
2. The Procter & Gamble Company - Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble.
3. Exxon Mobil Corporation - Tracing its roots back to the founding of Standard Oil Company by John D. Rockefeller in 1870.
4. AT&T Inc. - Founded in 1885 by Alexander Graham Bell with Theodore Vail playing a key role.
5. General Electric Company - Founded in 1892 by the merger of Edison General Electric and Thomson-Houston Electric Company.
6. The Coca-Cola Company - Founded in 1892 by Asa Griggs Candler. Leaders like Robert Woodruff played significant roles in establishing Coca-Cola as a global beverage brand.
7. Ford Motor Company - Founded in 1903 by Henry Ford. Henry Ford's leadership and innovative manufacturing techniques revolutionized the automobile industry.
8. IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) - Founded in 1911 through the merger of several companies. Notable leaders include Thomas J. Watson Sr. and Thomas J. Watson Jr., who transformed IBM into a global technology leader.
9. Walmart – Founded in 1962 by Sam Walton. Sam Walton built Walmart into the world's largest retailer by implementing innovative retail strategies and focusing on low prices and efficiency.

David Jones holds a PhD in management from Indiana University. During a career in business and academe, he conducted leadership and organi­zational programs for Fortune 500 companies and served on eight university faculties. He teaches on a wide array of topics at TLC.