Paul G. Hoffman
Encyclopedia
Paul Gray Hoffman was an American
automobile
company executive, statesman and global development aid administrator.
Hoffman was born in Western Springs, Illinois
, a suburb of Chicago
. He quit college at 18 to sell Studebaker
cars in Los Angeles, had made his first million dollars by the age of 34 and became president of Studebaker ten years later. Hoffman and Harold Sines Vance
were the two executives most responsible for rescuing Studebaker from insolvency in the 1930s.
From 1935 to 1948, Hoffman served as president of Studebaker. He took a leave of absence to spend a two-year term (1948–50) as director of the Economic Cooperation Administration
, administering the Marshall Plan
aid program to Europe following World War II
. From 1950 to 1953, he also served as the president of the Ford Foundation
.
Returning to Studebaker in 1953, Hoffman was chairman of the corporation during the turbulent period leading up to and during the 1954 merger with the Packard Motor Car Company. When Studebaker-Packard found itself nearing insolvency in 1956, the company entered into an Eisenhower Administration-brokered management agreement with Curtiss-Wright
. Hoffman, Vance (who had become chairman of the executive committee after the Packard merger) and S-P president James J. Nance
all left the company.
From 1966 to 1972 he was the first administrator of the United Nations Development Programme
when it was founded, with David Owen as his co-adminstrator.
On June 21, 1974, Mr. Hoffman was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
by President Gerald Ford
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
company executive, statesman and global development aid administrator.
Hoffman was born in Western Springs, Illinois
Western Springs, Illinois
Western Springs is a suburb of Chicago located in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 12,493. It is twinned with Rugeley, United Kingdom....
, a suburb of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He quit college at 18 to sell Studebaker
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
cars in Los Angeles, had made his first million dollars by the age of 34 and became president of Studebaker ten years later. Hoffman and Harold Sines Vance
Harold Sines Vance
Harold Sines Vance was an American automobile company executive and government official, notable for being chairman and president of the Studebaker Corporation and for a four-year term on the Atomic Energy Commission, where he encouraged the industrial use of nuclear energy.-Biography:Vance was...
were the two executives most responsible for rescuing Studebaker from insolvency in the 1930s.
From 1935 to 1948, Hoffman served as president of Studebaker. He took a leave of absence to spend a two-year term (1948–50) as director of the Economic Cooperation Administration
Economic Cooperation Administration
The Economic Cooperation Administration was a United States government agency set up in 1948 to administer the Marshall Plan. It reported to both the State Department and the Department of Commerce. The agency's head was Paul G. Hoffman, a former head of Studebaker. Much of the rest of the...
, administering the Marshall Plan
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was the large-scale American program to aid Europe where the United States gave monetary support to help rebuild European economies after the end of World War II in order to combat the spread of Soviet communism. The plan was in operation for four years beginning in April 1948...
aid program to Europe following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. From 1950 to 1953, he also served as the president of the Ford Foundation
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in Michigan and based in New York City created to fund programs that were chartered in 1936 by Edsel Ford and Henry Ford....
.
Returning to Studebaker in 1953, Hoffman was chairman of the corporation during the turbulent period leading up to and during the 1954 merger with the Packard Motor Car Company. When Studebaker-Packard found itself nearing insolvency in 1956, the company entered into an Eisenhower Administration-brokered management agreement with Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright
The Curtiss-Wright Corporation was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States at the end of World War II, but has evolved to largely become a component manufacturer, specializing in actuators, aircraft controls, valves, and metalworking....
. Hoffman, Vance (who had become chairman of the executive committee after the Packard merger) and S-P president James J. Nance
James J. Nance
James J. Nance was an American industrialist who became president of Studebaker Packard. Later, he was chief executive of the Central National Bank of Cleveland, chairman of the executive committee of Montgomery Ward and chairman of the board of trustees of Cleveland State University and a major...
all left the company.
From 1966 to 1972 he was the first administrator of the United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
when it was founded, with David Owen as his co-adminstrator.
On June 21, 1974, Mr. Hoffman was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
by President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
.
Sources
- Paul G Hoffman Papers 1928-72 Truman Library & Museum
Further reading
- The Paul G. Hoffman Page at smokershistory.com