Background
Batten, William Milfred was born on June 4, 1909 in Reedy, West Virginia, United States. Son of Lewis Allen and Gurry Frances (Goff) Batten.
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William Milfred Milfred Batten
Edit ProfileBusinessman chairman executive officer vice president
Education
Bachelor of Science, Ohio State University, 1932. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Ohio State University, 1977. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Morris Harvey College, 1960.
Honorary Doctor of Laws, West Virginia, University, 1966. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Alderson-Broaddus College, 1971. Honorary Doctor of Laws, West Virginia Wesleyan College, 1974.
Honorary Doctor of Laws, University Charleston, 1984. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Marietta College, 1965. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Hofstra University, 1978.
Career
He served as chairman and chief executive officer of the J. C. Penney Company from 1964 to 1974, and as chairman of the New York Stock Exchange from 1976 to 1984. In 1926, he started his career at J. C. Penney as a part-time salesman in his hometown. In 1935, he worked as a full-time salesman in Lansing, Michigan.
He introduced the Penney cr card.
After serving in the Second World War, he worked in the New York City office of J. C. Penney in 1945. In 1958, he became president and chief executive.
He served as chairman from 1964 to 1974. From 1976 to 1984, he served as chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, taking over from James J. Needham.
In this capacity, he oversaw a $70 million renovation of the exchange floor and the installation of electronic equipment that tripled the daily trading capacity to 150 million shares.
He served on the boards of directors of American Telephone & Telegraph Company, Boeing and Texas Instruments. He served as chairman of The Business Council from 1971 to 1972. From 1984 to 1986, he was a visiting fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Personal life
He died in Hilton Head, South Carolina in 1989.
Achievements
Membership
Trustee Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, 1973-1978, National Urban League, 1967, also national campaign chairman, 1969-1970, Council Better Business Burs., Inc., 1972-1974, National Foundation for Consumer Credit,1967-1974, Committee for Economics Development, 1973-1976, White House Preservation Fund, 1980-1985. Member National 4-H Foundation Advisory Council, 1971-1974, Senior Executives of the Council Board, 1973-1974. Served lieutenant colonel Army of the United States, 1942-1945. member Economics Club (president 1967-1968), Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, The Creek Club, Bent Pine Golf Club, Country Club of Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Yacht Club.
Connections
Married Kathryn P. Clark, August 10, 1935. Children: David Clark, Jane Louise.
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Born
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Died
1999 (aged 89) -
Nationality
United States
Awards
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Recipient Gold medal National Retail Merchants. Association, 1969, Americanism award Anti-Defamation League, 1973, Merit award United States Treasury Department, 1974, Equal Opportunity award National Urban League, 1974, Man of Year award Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1977, Humanitarianism award Fund for Higher Education, 1979, Trustees' citation Midwest Research Institute, 1981, Alumni Medalist award Ohio State University, 1984. Named to National Business Hall of Fame Junior Achievement, 1980.Recipient Gold medal National Retail Merchants. Association, 1969, Americanism award Anti-Defamation League, 1973, Merit award United States Treasury Department, 1974, Equal Opportunity award National Urban League, 1974, Man of Year award Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1977, Humanitarianism award Fund for Higher Education, 1979, Trustees' citation Midwest Research Institute, 1981, Alumni Medalist award Ohio State University, 1984. Named to National Business Hall of Fame Junior Achievement, 1980.