Charles Michel Harper

Background

Harper, Charles Michel was born on September 26, 1927 in Lansing, Michigan, United States. Son of Charles Frost and Alma (Michel) Harper.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 1949. Master of Business Administration, University Chicago, 1950. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), University Nebraska, 1986.

Degree (honorary), College St. Mary, 1986. Juris Doctor (honorary), Law College St. Mary, 1986. Doctor of Engineering (honorary), Purdue University, 1989.

Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Kearney State University, 1990. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Bellevue College, 1993. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Creighton University, 1993.

Career

Supervisor methods engineering Oldsmobile division, General Motors Corporation, Detroit, 1950-1954; industrial engineer, Pillsbury Company, Minneapolis, 1954-1955; director industrial engineering, Pillsbury Company, Minneapolis, 1955-1960; director engineering, Pillsbury Company, Minneapolis, 1961-1966; vice president research, development and new products, Pillsbury Company, Minneapolis, 1965-1970; group vice president-poultry, food service and venture business, Pillsbury Company, Minneapolis, 1970-1974; executive vice president, chief operating officer, director, ConAgra Inc., Omaha, 1974-1976; president, Chief Executive Officer, ConAgra Inc., Omaha, 1976-1981; Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, ConAgra Inc., Omaha, 1981-1993; Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, R. J Reynolds Tobacco Company Nabisco Holdings Corporation, New York City, 1993-1995; Chairman of the Board, R. J Reynolds Tobacco Company Nabisco Holdings Corporation, New York City, 1995-1996. Board directors Valmont Industries, Inc., Peter Kiewit Sons', Inc., ConAgra, Inc. Member Executive Committee National Commision on Agricultural, Trade and Export Policy, 1984-1986.

Achievements

• Charles Michel Harper has been listed as a noteworthy Food company executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member county Village of Excelsior (Minnesota), 1965-1970, mayor, 1974. Trustee Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital. Honorary chairman Urban League Nebraska Membership Campaign, 1987.

President Mid-American Council Boy Scouts American, 1983-1984. Served with Army of the United States, 1946-1948. Member of the United States Chamber of Commerce (board directors, chairman food and agricultural committee), Omaha Chamber of Commerce (chairman 1979), Ak-Sar-Ben (governor), U. Nebraska Lincoln College Business Administration Alumni Association (honorary life), Beta Theta Pi.

Connections

Married Joan Frances Bruggema, June24, 1950. Children: Kathleen Harper Wenngatz, Carolyn Harper Haney, Charles Michel, Elizabeth Harper Murphy.

Father:

Charles Frost Harper

Mother:

Alma (Michel) Harper

Spouse:

Joan Frances Bruggema

child:

Kathleen Harper Wenngatz Harper

child:

Elizabeth Harper Murphy Harper

child:

Charles Michel Harper

child:

Carolyn Harper Haney Harper