Fred A. Lennon
Fred A. Lennon | |
---|---|
Born | Founder and Chairman of Swagelok Company | November 26, 1905
Spouse | Alice Lennon (d. 1995) |
Children | 2 |
Fred A. Lennon (November 26, 1905 – July 23, 1998) was an American manufacturer and philanthropist. He was the founder and chairman of Swagelok Company.
Known for avoiding attention, Forbes magazine once described him as "the shiest billionaire".[1]
Early life
Fred Lennon was born in
Business leadership
Moving the company to Solon, Ohio, it steadily expanded into a large, international manufacturing corporation. Under Lennon's leadership, Swagelok gradually became a Fortune 500 Privately Held Company, producing thousands of products, and holding over US$1 billion in assets and employing a staff of 3,000. In leading the company for over 50 years, Lennon never missed a day of work.
Personal life
Lennon was an enthusiastic supporter of private business interests and an active member of the
Philanthropy
Lennon was active in, and contributed much to, a variety of charitable and nonprofit organizations in Ohio. He was a founder and chairman of The Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs at Ashland University, and president of Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills. He created the Fred A. Lennon Foundation, which between its establishment in 1965 and its dissolution in 1995, donated millions to a variety of schools, nonprofit foundations and charities. Following his death in 1998, The Fred A. Lennon Charitable Trust was created to honor him posthumously, and has continued to fund and assist schools and charities in the region.[3][4]
50th Anniversary
As part of Swagelok's 50th Anniversary in 1997, Lennon rented out the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and Science Center for all Swagelok employees and their families.
References
- ^ Keister (2000) p.82
- ^ "Fred A. Lennon Dies, Founder of Swagelok". Business Wire. Archived from the original on 23 May 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
- ^ Fred A. Lennon: The Founders Legacy. The Ashbrook Center. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
- ^ The Fred A. Lennon Foundation. The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
Sources
- Fred Lennon (1905 – 1998). Swagelok Company. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
- "Fred A. Lennon Built Swagelok From $500". Electronic News. August 3, 1998. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
- Ted Gup (March–April 1996). "Fred Who?". Mother Jones. Archived from the original on March 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
- Keister, Lisa A. (2000) Wealth in America: Trends in Wealth Inequality ISBN 0-521-62751-6