BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Kenneth Irvine Chenault (born June 2, 1951) is an American business executive. He has been the CEO and Chairman of American Express since 2001.[1][2] He is the third African-American CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Biography
Early life, education, and legal career
Chenault was born in Mineola, New York, Nassau County, as the son of a dentist and dental hygienist.[3] His father was Hortenius Chenault a graduate of Morehouse College in Georgia, and a 1939 graduate from Howard University Dental School. Dr. Chenault passed the New York State dental exam with the highest score ever recorded as of January 2014.[4] He attended the alternativeWaldorf School of Garden City,[5] where he served as senior class president.[3] He then received B.A. in history from Bowdoin College in 1973, and J.D. from Harvard Law Schoolin 1976 (on Monday, February 10, 2014, it was announced that he had been elected to fill a vacated seat of the Harvard Corporation; the Corporation is the chief fiduciary authority of the University and is the smaller of the two governing boards, the other being the Harvard Board of Overseers).[6][7]
After Harvard, he worked as an associate at the law firm Rogers & Wells (1977-1979) in New York City, and as a consultant for Bain & Company (1979-1981).[6][8]
CEO of American Express
He joined American Express in 1981, working in the Strategic Planning Group.[9] He became president and chief operating officer in 1997.[9] He became CEO of American Express in 2001.
While CEO of American Express in 2007, Chenault earned a total compensation of $50,126,585,[10] and in 2008, he earned a total compensation of $42,752,461.[11] In 2009, he earned a total compensation of $16,617,639, which included a base salary of $1,201,923, a cash bonus of $10,450,000, an option grant of $3,985,637, and other compensation worth $980,079.[12]
He is currently co-chair of the Business Roundtable,[13] a director at IBM,[2][9] and a member at the Council on Foreign Relations.[14] He is a member of the Executive Committee ofThe Business Council for 2011 and 2012.[15]
In 1995, Ebony listed him as one of 50 "living pioneers" in the African-American community.[16] Chenault was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2008, he gave the commencement address at Howard University.[17]
In May 2010, he gave the commencement speech at Wake Forest University[18] and Northeastern University.[19]
Philanthropy
On Monday, November 15, 2010, Old North Foundation recognized Chenault with its Third Lantern Award for individual commitment and dedication to public service. The Foundation honored Chenault and American Express for their significant contributions to the preservation efforts of many significant monuments and landmark structures, including the steeple of the Old North Church.[20]
Personal life
He resides in New Rochelle, New York with his wife and children.[21] Kenneth Chenault has been a member of Westchester Country Club since 1990, immediately following the controversy between the PGA Tour and Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club.[citation needed]
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