William M. Brown (businessman)

William M. "Bill" Brown is an American business executive. He became the CEO of 3M on May 1, 2024.[1] Mr. Brown is also the former chairman of L3Harris Technologies, a large defense contracting company.[2] Previously, he was the president, CEO and chairman of Harris Corporation,[3][4][5] the company that merged with L3 Technologies to create L3Harris Technologies in 2019.[6] [7][8]

Mr. Brown's tenure at L3Harris was controversial within the company, and he developed a deeply unfavorable reputation as someone who achieved stock price gains at the expense of his employees.[9]

Education

Brown earned a bachelor's degree in 1984, and a master's in 1987, both in mechanical engineering from Villanova University.[10] He received an MBA from the Wharton Business School.[11]

Career

Prior to joining Harris Corporation in 2011, he was senior vice president leading strategy and development for United Technologies Corporation. Before this, he was president of UTC's Fire & Security business. During his 14 years at UTC he acquired executive managerial experience in the US and in other countries.[3][6][12] Before UTC he worked for McKinsey & Company as a senior engagement manager, overseeing business relationships.[3]

Memberships and boards

Brown is on the board of directors for the Celanese Corporation,[13] the board of the Fire Department of New York City Foundation,[6] the council of trustees for the Association of the United States Army[6] and the board of trustees of the Florida Institute of Technology.[11][4] He is chairman of the Aerospace Industries Association executive committee and a member of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.[6] He was a member of the American Manufacturing Council before it was dissolved by President Trump.[5]

References

  1. ^ "FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. March 12, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024. On March 8, 2024, the Board of Directors of 3M Company (the "Company") appointed William M. Brown chief executive officer, effective May 1, 2024, succeeding Michael F. Roman.
  2. ^ FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (Report). U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. June 30, 2022. p. 1. Retrieved June 30, 2022. Consistent with the Merger Agreement and Mr. Brown's and Mr. Kubasik's respective employment arrangements, on June 29, 2022, (a) Mr. Brown ceased being Chair of L3Harris and retired from L3Harris; (b) and Mr. Kubasik, age 61, succeeded him as Chair of L3Harris, becoming Chair and Chief Executive Officer of L3Harris, and ceased being Vice Chair of L3Harris.
  3. ^ a b c "A Man for the Time and A Time for the Man". Space Coast Business. 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Garcia, Jason (August 28, 2018). "Harris Corp. Plays to Its Strengths". Florida Trend. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Price, Wayne T. (February 23, 2017). "Harris CEO Bill Brown meets with Trump". Florida Today. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e "William M. Brown biography". Aerospace Industries Association. 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  7. ^ "CEO / Board of Directors". L3 Harris. 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  8. ^ Renshaw, Jarret; Brumpton, Harry (October 14, 2018). "Harris and L3 agree merger to become sixth-largest U.S. defense contracto". Reuters. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  9. ^ "America's Most Hated CEOs". 24/7 Wall St. January 13, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "Notable College of Engineering Alumni". Villanova University. 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Bill Brown Chairman and CEO, L3harris Technologies Inc". Bloomberg. 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  12. ^ "UTC Appoints William Brown as Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Development". United Technologies. 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  13. ^ Price, Wayne T. (December 11, 2015). "Brown named to Celanese Corp. board". Florida Today. Retrieved December 17, 2019.