Background
Francis, Clarence was born on December 1, 1888 in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York, United States. Son of Clarence Southar and Helen Annett (Hawes) Francis.
Francis, Clarence was born on December 1, 1888 in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York, United States. Son of Clarence Southar and Helen Annett (Hawes) Francis.
Bachelor of Science, Amherst College, 1910. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Trinity College, 1955. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Long Island University.
Upon graduating from Amherst College in 1910 he went to New York City intending to apply for work at Standard Oil. By mistake, Francis went to the wrong office and soon found himself working for the Corn Products Refining Company, a small food manufacturing firm. This inauspicious beginning led to a lifelong interest in the food industry.
By the time Francis retired from the General Foods Corporation in 1954 he had risen to become Chairman of the Board of Directors.
After absorbing an initial $17 million loss in the frozen foods sector, Francis was able to turn a profit for General Foods in this very important market. In addition to his work in the food industry, Francis also served as a government consultant.
By 1933 he was recognized as an expert on food production and distribution. When the National Recovery Administration, one of President Franklin Doctorate. Roosevelt’s New Deal agencies, was created to establish codes to regulate business operations, Francis was hired as a consultant to help draft codes for the food industry.
The successful conclusion of this task led to further demands for his services.
Between 1940 and 1943 he assisted in defense mobilization. From 1943 to 1945 he led a committee which studied the food services at several naval bases in the United States. He studied manpower training and utilization in the United States. Department of Defense from 1951-1952.
And he evaluated the Mutual Security Program in 1953.
In 1949, Francis was appointed by Secretary of Interior Julius A. Krug to chair an official United States Citizens Committee for the United Nations Scientific Conference on Conservation and Utilization of Resources, held in August of that year at Lake Success, New New York Francis’ consultant work required taking extended leaves from his work at the General Foods Corporation.
After his retirement in 1954 he was able to devote most of his time to government service. At the same time he served as chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Hoover Report, and was the American representative on the European Productivity Agency.
At the end of the Eisenhower administration Francis left government services and returned to private business.
His last major activity was with the Economic Development Council of New York City.
Chairman board directors, member executive committee Fund for Adult Education The Ford Foundation. Trustee Nutrition Foundation, Lawrence Hospital, Bronxville, New York, Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Inc. Finance chairman, director, chairman development committee Lincoln Center for Performing Arts.
Chairman advisory committee Institute Nutritional Science Columbia. American representative European Productivity Agency. President, director Economic Development Committee, New York City.
Chairman Citizens Committee for Hoover Report. Trustee Committee Economic Development. Member planning group Moffett Program in agriculture and business Harvard University, also numerous federal, state and local governmental advisory bodies.
Deputy sheriff Westchester County, New York Lieutenant colonel New York State Guard, 1913-1914. Member American Assembly (chairman policy committee), American Association for United Nations (president United Nations Week), American Korean Foundation (director), Sales Executives Club, United States Chamber of Commerce (director), Union League, Sky Club, Bronxville Derby Club, Siwanoy Country Club, Blind Brook Club, American Yacht Club, Delta Upsilon.
Married Grace Abbott Berry, May 5, 1914. Children: Richard Hawes (deceased), John Berry, Barbara.