Background
II, Ralph Zellar Sorenson, was born on September 20, 1933 in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Son of Ralph Zellar and Verna Mary (Koenig) S.
II, Ralph Zellar Sorenson, was born on September 20, 1933 in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Son of Ralph Zellar and Verna Mary (Koenig) S.
AB magna cum laude, Amherst College, 1955. Master of Business Administration with distinction, Harvard University, 1959. Doctor of Business Administration, Harvard University, 1967.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Babson College, 1985.
Research assistant, International Institute for Management Development Management Development Institute, Lausanne, Switzerland, 1959-1961;
executive, Nestle Alimentana (SA), Vevey, Switzerland, 1961-1963;
professor Business School, Harvard University, 1964-1974;
Adjunct Professor management, Harvard University, since 1989;
president, Babson College, Wellesley, Massachusetts, 1974-1981;
president, chief Executive officer, Barry-Wright Corporation, 1981-1989;
Chairman of the Board, board director, Barry-Wright Corporation. Board director Houghton-Mifflin Company, Springs Industries Inc., Affiliated Publs. Inc., Polaroid Corporation, Eaton Vance Corporation.
Past board directors Federal Reserve Bank Boston.
Vice chairman, trustee Boston Museum of Science. Member corporation Babson College, Massachusetts General Hospital. Board overseers Boston Symphony Orchestra, Museum Fine Arts, Boston.
Lieutenant United States Air Force, 1955-1957. Member Amherst College Alumni Society (past president), Phi Beta Kappa. Clubs: The Country (Brookline).
Commercial, University.
Married Charlotte Bacon Ripley, June 25, 1960. Children: Kristin Elizabeth, Katrina Anne, Eric Ripley.