Inspirational Quotes by James E. Burke (American Business Executive)

James Edward Burke (1925–2012) was an American business executive. He was the CEO and Chairman of Johnson & Johnson 1976–89 and is perhaps best known for his decisive leadership during the Tylenol Poisoning Incident in 1982.

Born in Rutland, Vermont, Burke commanded a landing craft tank in the Pacific during World War II. he earned his B.A. at the College of the Holy Cross in 1947 and his MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1949. After three years as a brand manager for Procter & Gamble, Burke joined Johnson & Johnson in 1953 and rose to become CEO in 1976.

In 1982, Johnson & Johnson’s Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules were poisoned with cyanide and killed seven people in Chicago. In response, Burke insisted that Johnson & Johnson commit to the company’s “patients come before profit” philosophy. He pulled all Tylenol off the shelves nationwide and created a tamper-proof bottle at the cost of $100 million. Johnson & Johnson cemented its reputation for responsible management, and Burke received high praise from financial analysts, marketing experts, employees, and consumers. Burke and Johnson & Johnson became the subject of many business school studies on corporate citizenship and social responsibility.

Burke also served as a director for IBM and recruited Louis V. Gerstner Jr. to turn IBM around. Burke also served as the long-time chairman of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

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