Thomas Murphy (chairman)

Thomas Aquinas Murphy (December 10, 1915 – January 18, 2006) was former CEO of General Motors during the 1970s.[1]

Thomas Murphy
Born
Thomas Aquinas Murphy

(1915-12-10)December 10, 1915
Hornell, New York, U.S.
DiedJanuary 18, 2006(2006-01-18) (aged 90)
Boynton Beach, Florida, U.S.
Resting placeCalvary Cemetery,
Queens, New York
NationalityAmerican
EducationAccounting (B.S.)
Alma materUniversity of Illinois
OccupationManager
Board member ofGeneral Motors
Spouse(s)Catherine Rita Murphy
Children3

Personal life

Thomas Aquinas Murphy was born on December 10, 1915 in Hornell, New York.[1] He attended Leo Catholic High School in Chicago, Illinois.[1]

Murphy died in Boynton Beach, Florida on January 18, 2006.[1] He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York.[1] Murphy is survived by his wife of 64 years, Catherine Rita Murphy; daughters Catherine Murphy and Maureen M. Fay; and son Thomas A. Murphy Jr.[2]

Career

Murphy began with GM as a clerk in the controller's office after graduating in 1938 from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in accountancy.[1] During World War II, Murphy served in the Navy for three years before returning to work for GM. He moved up the ranks from controller's office, from finance executive:

  • VP of car and truck operations
  • VP of GM 1972-1974

He retired from GM as chairman and chief executive in 1980. He continued serving on GM's Board of Directors from 1980 to 1988.

His time at GM was when the automaker was still global leader with a record of 9.55 million cars and trucks sold globally (1978). The impact of the oil embargo in the late 1970s hit GM hard, as well as new policy on safety and regulation. GM remained profitable in the 1980s until Japanese imports began to up the production and lowered costs. In 2005, GM sold 9.17 million vehicles, the first time since 1978.

He is credited with saying "General Motors is not in the business of making cars. It is in the business of making money."

Business positions
Preceded by
Richard C. Gerstenberg		 Chairmen General Motors
1974 – 1980		 Succeeded by
Roger B. Smith
Preceded by
Richard C. Gerstenberg		 CEO General Motors
1974 – 1980		 Succeeded by
Roger B. Smith

References
  1. "Thomas A. Murphy, former GM Chairman & CEO, dies at 90" (Press release). General Motors. January 18, 2006. Archived from the original on 2011-08-07. Retrieved February 15, 2010. Murphy served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46 and reached the rank of lieutenant (j.g.). He was born Dec. 10, 1915, in Hornell, N.Y., and attended Leo High School in Chicago
  2. "Thomas Aquinas Murphy". Palm Beach Post. 2006-01-20. Retrieved 2021-01-04.


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