Arthur H. White
| Arthur White | |
|---|---|
| Born |
March 30, 1924 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died |
August 25, 2014 (aged 90) Stamford, Connecticut |
| Residence | Stamford, Connecticut |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Spouse(s) | Vivien White |
| Children | Joe White |
| Parent(s) | Maurice and Frieda White |
| Website | Personal Website |
Arthur Henry White (March 30, 1924 – August 25, 2014) was an American businessman—a man U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal describes as "extraordinarily insightful and thoughtful."[1] He is a co-founder and vice chairman of Yankelovich Partners, Inc.,[2] a research and consulting firm, and founder of Jobs for the Future,[3] a non-profit organization which analyzes and develops responses to current job education and training needs. In 1994, he was appointed to the National Commission for Employment Policy, an independent agency, which advises the President and Congress on national employment and training issues. In December 1997, he was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Federal Prison Industries Commission.[4] White served as Chairman of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, and Chairman of the City of Stamford’s Planning Board. Since co-founding Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), a program of the Smithsonian Institution now operating in 36 states, he has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and now serves as a board member emeritus. White has also served on the board of the Institute for Educational Leadership, WAVE, Inc., Community Services Society, and Volunteer Consulting Group, among others.[5]
Education
After graduating from Boston Latin School in 1941, White attended Harvard University. He volunteered for the U.S.A.A.F. (United States Army Air Forces) at the beginning of his 4th semester of college. Three years later he returned to Harvard, graduating magna cum laude on June 5, 1947 with an A.B. in Government. White then worked as a research scientist under Douglas McGregor and Mason Haire at the MIT Sloan School of Management. White found his calling in business, graduating with a MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business in 1951.[6]
Founds research firm
In 1964 he co-founded the marketing and research firm Yankelovich, Skelly, & White, Inc. along with Daniel Yankelovich and Florence Skelly,[7] serving as Vice Chairman. From 1986 to 1992, White was president and CEO of WSY Consulting Group, Inc., a management consulting firm.
Landmark studies
As Vice Chairman of Yankelovich Inc., (formerly Yankelovich, Skelly & White), White directed more than 200 research and consulting assignments for corporations, government agencies, industry associations, media, universities, and non-profit organizations.
Trusteeships and advisory boards
White serves as a member of the executive committee of the Reading Is Fundamental program of the Smithsonian Institution, and he is an active board member of several organizations, such as the Institute for Educational Leadership, WAVE, Inc., Community Services Society, and Volunteer Consulting Group.
Personal life
White married Vivien Karatz on June 19, 1949. They have one child: son Joe White (b. 1961).
The Whites have spent their decades together marching to the beat of the same drum as community activists and humanitarians reflected in their reception of the SPEF Community Volunteer Award in 2013. Vivien's life of community involvement shows a dedication to the arts, education, and human services. Highlights of her career of service include 25 years on the board of the CT Commission of the Arts, as well as leadership positions on the boards of the Stamford Public Education Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, Citizen's Task Force to desegregate Stamford's Elementary Schools, Stamford Cultural Development Corporation, Stamford Community Arts Partnership Program, Urban League of SWCT, Committee to Restore the Stamford School Lunch Program, CT association for Human Services, Friends of the Ferguson Library, and Faith Tabernacle Day Care.
White leveraged the capabilities of Yankelovich, Skelly, and White, a marketing consulting firm, to conduct research to support Vivien's and his own public service initiatives including Reading is Fundamental and Jobs for the Future. Blurring the boundary between profit and non-profit organizations, White is renowned for coordinating groups of like-minded individuals to move societal mountains. On August 25, 2014, White died at the age of 90 after a stroke.[8]
References
- ↑ http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/At-87-an-activist-s-march-continues-1470160.php#page-1.
- ↑ "Yankelovich Partners, Inc. | Corporate Identification Program." Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://www.hlcgroup.com/portfolio/yank/yank.html>.
- ↑ "Jobs for the Future." Jobs for the Future. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://www.jff.org/board-member/arthur-h-white/710>.
- ↑ "President Names Arthur White to the Federal Prison Industries Board." THE WHITE HOUSE. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://archives.clintonpresidentialcenter.org/?u=121997-president-names-arthur-white-to-the-federal-prison-industries-board.htm>.
- ↑ "Arthur White." Business Profiles and Company Information Database | ZoomInfo.com. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://www.zoominfo.com/people/White_Arthur_1174597.aspx>.
- ↑ "Arthur White: Executive Profile & Biography - BusinessWeek." Investing & Stock Research by Company and Industry - BusinessWeek. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=143055&privcapId=6824819&previousCapId=23763&previousTitle=VSP Capital>.
- ↑ Gilpin, Kenneth N. "Florence Skelly Altman, 73, Market Research Pioneer, Dies" New York Times 30 April 30, 1998; accessed March 30, 2011
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/31/business/arthur-h-white-gauged-public-opinion-and-encouraged-reading-dies-at-90.html?ref=obituaries