Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.

Date of Birth: March 1, 1942

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., is a prominent American businessman best known for his transformative role as the Chairman and CEO of IBM from 1993 to 2002. He was born and raised in Mineola, New York. Gerstner earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Dartmouth College in 1963 and later an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1965. Before joining IBM, Gerstner had a distinguished career in various industries. He served as a partner at McKinsey & Company, the chairman and CEO of RJR Nabisco, and held senior positions at American Express. His tenure at IBM is particularly notable for reversing the company’s fortunes at a time when it faced significant financial challenges. Gerstner implemented a strategy that refocused IBM on IT services and software, substantially improving its profitability and market position. After retiring from IBM, Gerstner has been involved in several philanthropic and educational initiatives. He served as the Chairman of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, and has been active in various educational reform efforts, including leadership roles at the Broad Institute and the Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

5 Interesting Facts about Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.

1. Gerstner was instrumental in shifting IBM’s focus from hardware to consulting and software services.

2. He authored a best-selling book titled “Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance?” which chronicles his time at IBM.

3. During his tenure at IBM, the company’s stock price increased by nearly 800%.

4. Gerstner was named “CEO of the Year” by Chief Executive magazine in 1997.

5. He played a significant role in the development of the IBM Global Services division, which became one of the company’s most profitable units.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.

1. “You can’t become a winner overnight, or even in a year—it takes time.”

2. “The biggest mistake businesses make is to focus on the competition. You should focus on the customer.”

3. “Reorganization to me is shuffling boxes, moving boxes around. Transformation means changing the hearts and minds of people.”

4. “Computers are magnificent tools for the realization of our dreams, but no machine can replace the human spark of spirit, compassion, love, and understanding.”

5. “The most important attribute of leadership is character.”