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Science & Technology
John W. Thompson:
Software executive
John W. Thompson is chairman and chief executive officer of Symantec Corp., the Cupertino, California-based company that makes security software for consumers and businesses. Thompson came to Symantec after a 28-year career with IBM. At Symantec, he has pushed the company to focus more on Internet security products instead of software utility products and to increase sales and profits. With Thompson at the helm since 1999, Symantec's revenue has grown from $632 million to $944 million, the company says.
FULL NAME
John W. Thompson
BORN
April 24, 1949, in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
EDUCATION
Thompson received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Florida A&M University in 1971. He earned a master's degree in management science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1983.
CAREER
Thompson joined IBM out of college as a salesman. During his years at IBM, he was general manager in charge of development and marketing of the OS/2 operating system, the company's Intel-based server products and communication product distribution, and head of marketing of IBM's U.S. operations. Before leaving to join Symantec, Thompson was general manager of IBM Americas and was responsible for sales and support of IBM's technology products and services.
Thompson is a member of the board of directors for several companies, including delivery giant UPS. He also has served as chairman of the Florida A&M University Cluster and the Illinois Governor's Human Resource Advisory Council.
PERSONAL
Thompson and his wife, Sande, live in Woodside, California. He has two children from a previous marriage.
