Albert L. Williams编辑本段回目录
Al Williams was president of IBM from May 1961 until March 1966.
Born in Berwick, Pa., on March 17, 1911 (the year in which the Computing-Tabulating-Machine Company -- IBM's predecessor -- was launched), Williams attended Beckley College in Harrisburg, Pa., and was a Certified Public Accountant.
He joined IBM in 1936 as a student sales representative in Pittsburgh and continued in sales positions in various IBM branch offices until 1942, when he was promoted to assistant to the Executive Assistant at IBM corporate headquarters in New York City.
Williams was elected IBM Controller in November 1942, IBM Treasurer in 1947, and Vice President and Treasurer in 1948. The IBM Board of Directors elected him a member in July 1951.
In 1954, he was elected Executive President and, in May 1961, president of IBM. Williams became a member of the IBM Board's Executive and Finance Committee in 1956.
In November 1973, former IBM chairman Thomas J. Watson, Jr., said: "I've had a wonderful relationship with Al Williams. Outside my own family, I've gotten more good advice, friendship, backing, and assistance from him than any other individual in the world. I don't think the IBM Company would be nearly the company it is without the contributions of Al Williams."