Douglas Conant
Encyclopedia
Douglas Conant is an American
businessman who served as President and CEO of the Campbell Soup Company
until July 31, 2011. Longtime protege Denise Morrison, who worked for him at Nabisco as well as Campbell's, succeeded him as CEO.
Conant was born in Evanston, Illinois
, and grew up in Glencoe, Illinois
. After becoming a tennis star at New Trier High School
, Conant earned an athletic scholarship at Northwestern University
. He earned his bachelor's of arts degree
and his MBA there.
Early in his career, Conant worked in marketing
at General Mills
, before moving to management positions at Kraft
. He was appointed President of Nabisco
in 1995, and served there until 2000.
Conant was appointed President and CEO of Campbell in January 2001, at which time he was also elected to its board of directors
.
While CEO of Campbell Soup in 2009, Douglas R. Conant earned a total compensation of $11,557,212, which included a base salary of $1,185,000, a cash bonus of $2,044,125, stocks granted of $8,101,198, and other compensation worth $226,889.
Conant is Chairman and Trustee of The Conference Board, a member of the Board of Directors of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), a member of the Board of Directors of the Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Processors of America (GMA/FPA), a member of the Board of Directors of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), and a Trustee of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman who served as President and CEO of the Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company , also known as Campbell's, is an American producer of canned soups and related products. Campbell's products are sold in 120 countries around the world. It is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey...
until July 31, 2011. Longtime protege Denise Morrison, who worked for him at Nabisco as well as Campbell's, succeeded him as CEO.
Conant was born in Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
, and grew up in Glencoe, Illinois
Glencoe, Illinois
Glencoe is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 8,723. Glencoe is located on suburban Chicago's North Shore. Glencoe is located within the New Trier High School District. Glencoe is regarded as one of the most affluent suburbs on...
. After becoming a tennis star at New Trier High School
New Trier High School
New Trier High School is a public four-year high school , with its major campus located in Winnetka, Illinois, USA, and a second campus in Northfield, Illinois, with freshman classes and district administration...
, Conant earned an athletic scholarship at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. He earned his bachelor's of arts degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
and his MBA there.
Early in his career, Conant worked in marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
at General Mills
General Mills
General Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green...
, before moving to management positions at Kraft
Kraft Foods
Kraft Foods Inc. is an American confectionery, food and beverage conglomerate. It markets many brands in more than 170 countries. 12 of its brands annually earn more than $1 billion worldwide: Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka, Nabisco, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Trident, Tang...
. He was appointed President of Nabisco
Nabisco
Nabisco is an American brand of cookies and snacks. Headquartered in East Hanover, New Jersey, the company is a subsidiary of Illinois-based Kraft Foods. Nabisco's plant in Chicago, a production facility at 7300 S...
in 1995, and served there until 2000.
Conant was appointed President and CEO of Campbell in January 2001, at which time he was also elected to its board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
.
While CEO of Campbell Soup in 2009, Douglas R. Conant earned a total compensation of $11,557,212, which included a base salary of $1,185,000, a cash bonus of $2,044,125, stocks granted of $8,101,198, and other compensation worth $226,889.
Conant is Chairman and Trustee of The Conference Board, a member of the Board of Directors of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), a member of the Board of Directors of the Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Processors of America (GMA/FPA), a member of the Board of Directors of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), and a Trustee of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I.