Robert A. McDonald current Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Procter & Gamble was born on June 20,1953 in Gray, Indiana and grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois. During his childhood he joined Boys Scout and become an outstanding scout. In 1975 he was graduated from West Point Military Academy with a Bachelors degree in Science, he was ranked 13th among 875 other students. During his last year in West Point Military Academy he was appointed as Brigade Adjutant for the Corps of Cadets. The Royal Society of England awarded him Silver Medal for being most outstanding student in leadership, academics and physical education.
Soon after he served in U.S army as Captain in 82nd Airborne Division and completed number of military qualification such as Airborne, Ranger, Jungle, Arctic & Desert Warfare, Jumpmaster, Expert Infantry and Senior Parachutist. He was also a recipient Meritorious Service Medal. During his serving in army he completed his MBA from University of Utah in 1978, he was graduated with honors from Beta Gamma Sigma. In 1977 he married to Diana his wife and has two grown children Robert and Jennifer. During his stay in West Point Military Academy he learned that the character of the leader itself is the most important attribute for the leader. He believes that character is putting organizations needs before putting your own needs. . In his biography he motions “Living up to this ideal of character requires courage, determination, integrity, and self-discipline. You must live by your word and actions, and know that is the most powerful demonstration of leadership”.
On June 4,1980 he joined Proctor & Gamble as young professional in U.S marketing division. Initially he was brand assistant for SOLO laundry liquid. Ex-Captain of US army started his marketing experience by selling SOLO and particularly had a hard time selling it. During his interview to Modern Weekly
References: CNNMoney (2013) Can Procter & Gamble CEO Bob McDonald hang on? - Fortune Management. [online] Available at: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/02/08/procter-gamble-mcdonald/ [Accessed: 24 Apr 2013]. Glazer, P. (2012) P&G CEO Takes Pay Cut. [online] Available at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444358404577609442812291190.html [Accessed: 25 Apr 2013]. Kellogg.northwestern.edu (2009) Principles of ‘value-based leadership’ : Drawing upon his experiences at P&G, President and CEO Bob McDonald outlines 10 characteristics of a great leader - Kellogg School of Management. [online] Available at: http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/news_articles/2009/bob_mcdonald.aspx [Accessed: 23 Apr 2013]. Media corporate (2013) Biographical Data Sheet ROBERT A. (BOB) McDONALD. [online] Available at: http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/19/195341/images/managephotos/Bios/McDonald-Robert.pdf [Accessed: 23 Apr 2013]. Modern Weekly Business (2010) P&G Hong Kong | Robert A. McDonald, Chairman & CEO of P&G:A Purpose-Driven Life. [online] Available at: http://www.pghongkong.com/en-us/news/Detail.aspx?Id=235 [Accessed: 26 Apr 2013]. Pg.com (2009) PG.com Bob McDonald: brand building, West Point, global business. [online] Available at: http://www.pg.com/en_US/company/purpose_people/executive_team/bob_mcdonald.shtml [Accessed: 26 Apr 2013]. The Economic Times (2013) Why P&G 's global CEO, Robert McDonald considers Indian operations a success story. [online] Available at: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-03-06/news/37500481_1_p-g-robert-mcdonald-brand-equity [Accessed: 25 Apr 2013].