Thomas Murphy (chairman)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Aquinas Murphy was former CEO
of General Motors during the 1970s.
Murphy began with GM as a clerk in the controller's office after graduating in 1938 from the University of Illinois
with a B.S. in accountancy. During World War II
, Murphy served in the Navy for three years before returning to work for GM. He moved up the ranks from controller's office, from finance executive:
He retired from GM as chairman and chief executive in 1980. He was also director from 1980 to 1988.
His time at GM was when the automaker was still global leader with a record of 9.55 million cars and trucks sold globally (1978). The impact of the oil embargo in the late 1970s hit GM hard, as well as new policy on safety and regulation. GM remained profitable in the 1980s until Japanese
imports began to up the production and lowered costs.
In 2005, GM sold 9.17 million vehicles, the first time since 1978.
He is credited with saying "General Motors is not in the business of making cars. It is in the business of making money."
Mr. Murphy was survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Catherine Rita Murphy; daughters Catherine Murphy and Maureen M. Fay; and son Thomas A. Murphy Jr.
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of General Motors during the 1970s.
Murphy began with GM as a clerk in the controller's office after graduating in 1938 from the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
with a B.S. in accountancy. During 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...
, Murphy served in the Navy for three years before returning to work for GM. He moved up the ranks from controller's office, from finance executive:
- VP of car and truck operations
- VP of GM 1972-1974
He retired from GM as chairman and chief executive in 1980. He was also director from 1980 to 1988.
His time at GM was when the automaker was still global leader with a record of 9.55 million cars and trucks sold globally (1978). The impact of the oil embargo in the late 1970s hit GM hard, as well as new policy on safety and regulation. GM remained profitable in the 1980s until Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
imports began to up the production and lowered costs.
In 2005, GM sold 9.17 million vehicles, the first time since 1978.
He is credited with saying "General Motors is not in the business of making cars. It is in the business of making money."
Mr. Murphy was survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Catherine Rita Murphy; daughters Catherine Murphy and Maureen M. Fay; and son Thomas A. Murphy Jr.