Ralph Owen (1905–1983) was an American businessman. He served as the Chairman of American Express (NYSE: AXP).
Ralph Owen | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 3, 1905 Hartsville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | 1983 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Early life
editOwen was born on October 3, 1905, in Hartsville, 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 from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, 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 with American Express in 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] The Owen Graduate School of Management was renamed in his honor in 1977.[4] Additionally, the Ralph Owen Chair is 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 the Vanderbilt University Hospital in 1983.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Ralph 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]