1990's Business and the Economy | Chenault, Ken 1951-

CEO OF AMERICAN EXPRESS

Man of Destiny.

Born in 1951 in New York City, Chenault, one of five children, was the second son of Hortenius and Anne Chenault. Coming of age during the Civil Rights era made its mark on the young Chenault. "My father's basic view was that you really needed to concentrate on the things you can control, and what you can control is your own performance." Chenault took his father's advice seriously. In school he demonstrated poise and leadership qualities that would later impress others as he moved through the corporate world. He studied at Bowdoin College and then enrolled in Harvard Law School. Still, Chenault admits that he was a late bloomer in school; the thought of studying business did not occur to him until he was in his twenties, after realizing that he did not want to practice law.

Trying Something New.

In 1981 Chenault accepted a job with American Express. Starting in the...