Sam Palmisano

Palmisano was appointed in January 2003. Previously, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer. He began his career in 1973 in Baltimore, Maryland.  Since then, Mr.
Palmisano has held a series of leadership positions during his IBM
career, including senior vice president for the Enterprise Systems
and Personal Systems groups.  Mr. Palmisano also played a key role in
creating and leading IBM’s Global Services, rising to senior vice
president, and building the largest and most diversified IT services
organization in the industry.  He also served as senior managing
director of operations for IBM Japan.

Palmisano is a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University. In recognition
of his leadership role as co-chair of the Council of Competitiveness’
National Innovation Initiative, as well as his many business
accomplishments, Mr. Palmisano was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor
of Humane Letters from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in September
2005.  In July 2006, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the
London Business School.