Jacques Nasser

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Jacques Nasser
Born	12 December 1947 (1947-12-12) (age 64) Amyoun, Lebanon
Occupation	Chairman of BHP Billiton, Managing Director of One Equity Partners, former CEO of Ford Motor Company

Jacques A. Nasser (born 12 December 1947, Amyoun, Lebanon) is a leading global business executive who currently serves as Chairman of the Board of BHP Billiton. After serving as a Director of BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc since 2006, Mr. Nasser was appointed Chairman of both companies effective 31 March 2010. BHP Billiton is a global leader in the resources industry. Mr. Nasser is also a Non-Executive advisory partner of One Equity Partners, the private equity arm of JPMorgan Chase, a Board Director for NewsCorp’s British Sky Broadcasting Ltd, and a member of the International Advisory Council of Allianz AG.

Following a 33 year career with Ford in various leadership positions in Australia, Asia, South America, Europe and the US, Mr. Nasser served as a member of the Board of Directors and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company from 1998 to 2001. His career included assignments as Vice President of Autolatina, a joint venture between Ford and Volkswagen in South America, Head of Ford’s operations in Australia and Chairman of Ford of Europe. He was promoted to Vice President of Ford Motor Company in 1993 and Group Vice President of Global Product Development. In 1996 he headed up Ford’s Global Automotive business. Nasser became President and CEO of Ford total operations in 1998.

Early life

Nasser was born in Lebanon, moving to Melbourne, Australia, with his family at the age of four. He graduated in business from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne. He speaks English, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese. Nasser is the son of independent businessman Abdo Nasser and the father of four children.

Career at Ford

At age 20, Nasser joined Ford in 1968 as a financial analyst in its Australian unit. He moved rapidily up its management ranks. In 1973, he joined the company's financial staff, transferring to Ford's North American Truck Operations. He returned to Australia and worked as a manager of profit analysis and product programming/timing. He then joined Ford's International Automotive Operations, resulting in management tenures in Ford's Asia-Pacific and Latin-American operations. In 1987 he became vice president of Finance and Administration for Autolatina, a joint venture between Ford and Volkswagen in Brazil and Argentina. He was promoted to the chairman of the board of Ford Europe, to vice president of Ford Motor Company in 1993, group vice president of product development in 1994. In 1996, he headed Ford Automotive Operations. In Europe, he also served in 1999 as the executive vice president of Ford Automotive Operations.

On 1 January 1999, he became CEO of Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. Nasser was known for his sharp cost-cutting efforts with Ford's components supplier base, in an attempt to maximize profits and shareholder's dividends. Using the business models of non-automotive companies like Dell Computer and some of the "Dot-com" firms as benchmarks, Nasser sought to increase the company stock "price to earnings ratio" (P/E ratio) from the low single-digit levels of most automotive factory-industrial corporations.

Nasser submitted his resignation on 29 October 2001, officially retiring from Ford. He was succeeded by William Clay Ford Jr.

Post-Ford career

Following his 33-year, global career with Ford Motor Company, Nasser joined One Equity Partners, the private investment arm of JPMorgan Chase. There, he led a number of deals, including the sale of the iconic global brand, Polaroid. In addition to Chairing the Board of BHP, Nasser serves on the Board of News Corporation's British Sky Broadcasting, and is on the International Advisory Council of Allianz.

In its press release announcing his appointment, BHP Billiton cited John Buchanan, the board's senior independent director, saying: "Jac Nasser will make an excellent successor to Don Argus as Chairman. He combines deep international business knowledge along with outstanding financial, senior management and board experiences. The Board looks forward to Jac leading the Group as Chairman." The company added that the decision to appoint Nasser was agreed by the Board following an 18 month selection process. The international recruitment firm, Heidrick & Struggles, was engaged as independent adviser by the Board to assist the Board in its deliberations and consideration of both internal and external candidates. KPMG supported the final process as scrutineer.

Honors

In recognition of his contribution to Australian industry, as an Advisor to Government, and for education in the areas of technology, Nasser was awarded an Order of Australia and a Centenary Medal. Nasser was also awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Nasser also received the National Order of the Cedar from Lebanon.

Philanthropy

Mr. Nasser funds several education-focused programs that financially assist individual students. These include the Jacques Nasser Scholarship in Entrepreneurship at RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia); the Jacques Nasser Scholarship for MBA students at The American University of Beirut; the Jacques Nasser Scholarship at the INSEAD School of Business; and he also supports Focus Hope, a Detroit based Training Center.

References

• Associated Press (30 October 2001), Ford Shuffle Bios
• PRNewswire (20 December 1999), "Fourth Annual 'Car Guy of the Year' Award Goes to Jacques Nasser"
• PR Newswire Europe (13 February 1998), "Jacques Nasser, President, Ford Automotive Operations, Will Address 1998 New York International Auto Show"
• Dow Jones News Service (10 October 1996), "Ford's Parts -2: Sets Up Nasser As Likely Chmn's Successor", Dow Jones News Service
• The Seattle Times (31 October 2001), "Great-grandson of Ford founder takes over as CEO"
• The Australian (5 August 2009), "Jac Nasser's remarkable voyage to summit"

External links

• [1], Jacques Nasser Official Website
• "'Nasser's the Man', Herald Sun, 4 August 2009
• "Remarkable Voyage", The Australian, 4 August 2009
• "Former Ford CEO Nasser to Lead BHP Billiton Board", WSJ, 5 August 2009
• "The Jacques Nasser Scholarships," RMIT%2FGiving to_RMIT%2FYour gifts at work%2FThe Jacques Nasser Scholarships, RMIT University