CEBC IN THE NEWS

Press Release

Ron James Named CEBC President & CEO

For Immediate Release
July 14, 2000

Contact: 

David Rodbourne
Vice President
(651) 962-4120

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Ron James today assumed leadership of the Center for Ethical Business Cultures (CEBC), formerly the Minnesota Center for Corporate Responsibility. James takes over as president and CEO of a reinvented nonprofit organization committed to assisting business leaders in creating ethical and profitable business cultures at the organizational, community and global levels.

James Renier, the center’s chairman, said, "We are extremely pleased that Ron has stepped forward. He is an experienced business leader, and his credentials as a community leader are extraordinary. Most important, Ron will lead efforts to help our corporate partners to reach for the highest standards in business conduct and work with them in tackling serious challenges to our communities." Judy Corson, co-founder of Custom Research Inc. and a CEBC director, said, "Ron James has a wonderful ability to bring people together, get them focused, committed and working together. That is just what CEBC needs right now." William Monahan, chairman and CEO of Imation Corp. and a member of the center’s search committee, said, "The vision unfolding at the center will be a great asset to Minnesota and to businesses competing in global markets. Ron James brings a passion as well as the leadership and experience that will accelerate the center’s development."

In accepting the position, James stated: "Minnesota has clearly been a leader in fostering an environment that creates values-based leaders who invest personal and corporate resources and their time to build community. The challenge we face is sustaining this model of leadership with future generations locally and globally. The CEBC focus on building ethical, values-based business cultures that are also profitable can help meet this challenge and is a perfect alignment with the principles that I have been guided by throughout my life. I am honored and excited to be called."

James brings outstanding credentials as a business and community leader. He served as president and CEO of the Human Resources Group at Ceridian Corporation from 1996-1998. Before moving to Ceridian, he was corporate vice-president and CEO for Minnesota at USWest. He co-chaired the Governor’s Action for Children Commission from 1992-1995, and he chaired the United Way of Minneapolis board in 1998. James serves on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards

Nationally, CEBC is unique. It is the only business-based organization of its kind partnering with two graduate schools of business, the Graduate School of Business at the University of St. Thomas and the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Presidents at both schools strongly endorsed James’ appointment. The Rev. Dennis Dease, president of the University of St. Thomas, said, "Ron James is a great choice. He will help business connect with our faculty and students on the issues of ethics and community. CEBC is an important resource for the university, business and our communities. Ron will help all of us move forward." At the University of Minnesota, President Mark Yudof said, "The center’s focus on ethics and corporate citizenship at a global level will enhance our education programs, and our faculty at the Carlson School of Management gives the center an important research capability. We are delighted that Ron James has accepted the position." Professors holding endowed chairs in business ethics and corporate responsibility at each university have been appointed as academic directors for the CEBC and will play critical roles in shaping the center’s research agenda.

One example of this new business-academic partnership is the work of Teresa Rothausen, Ph.D., assistant professor of management at UST Graduate School of Business and a research fellow with CEBC. The center connected Rothausen with business members from its Work« Life Network^SM in order to define a research project that not only advances academic research but also provides business with actionable results. "Our members appreciate being in at the front end," said David Rodbourne, CEBC vice president. "Too often they have no opportunity to participate in shaping the research model. We’re giving them that voice. One of our key goals at CEBC is to produce solid research that is useful to a business manager."

The selection of a new president and CEO comes on the heels of two recent developments at CEBC. At its June board meeting, the center announced the appointment of James Mitchell as an executive business fellow. Mitchell, the chairman of IDS Life Insurance and former executive vice president of American Express, is joining the center to develop research and programs on leading with integrity. He will organize a forum for CEOs to reflect with peers on how they can lead their organizations toward an ethical business culture that is also more effective.

Earlier this year, the center appointed Lisa Dercks as an executive business fellow. Dercks served as vice president, associate general counsel and ethics officer for Honeywell. Dercks offers the center’s business members a resource on ethical leadership and management practices. She is developing programs and training modules which range from setting up compliance systems to managing international ethics issues. According to Dercks, "CEBC can help business create world-class ethics programs that not only mitigate risk but foster a culture that links ethics and profitability."

James faces formidable challenges in his new role. The center will launch a multimillion dollar fund drive in the months ahead; increase its business membership; build its new research partnerships with faculty at both the St. Thomas Graduate School of Business and the Carlson School of Management; and develop key strategic alliances with U. S. and international organizations.

James was selected after an extensive national search by a committee comprised of representatives from the center’s board, its member companies, trustees of the University of St. Thomas, advisers to the St. Thomas Graduate School of Business, and the Board of Governors of the Carlson School of Management.

The Minnesota Center for Corporate Responsibility, precursor to CEBC, was launched in 1978 by Minnesota CEOs. The center has become a key resource for business leaders in ethics and work/life and operates two formal business networks: The Work« Life Network^SM and the Business Ethics Network^SM. It has produced a wide range of workshops on policy and leadership issues and published more than 130 essays and major speeches featuring CEO perspectives. The center is completing a book to be published in September titled Culture of Corporate Citizenship: Minnesota’s Legacy for a Global Future.

During the 1990s, the center developed the Minnesota Principles, which have evolved into a set of global business principles known as the Caux Round Table Principles for Business. The center has an ongoing relationship with the Caux Round Table, a Swiss-based organization of senior business leaders from the Americas, Europe and Asia. The Caux Principles have been translated into 12 languages with bilingual print editions in Chinese-English and Arabic-English. CEBC is involved in a pilot research project to benchmark corporate performance against the Caux Principles. The project includes faculty at the Carlson School and St. Thomas as well as other institutions.

The center has undergone a major strategic overhaul during the past two years. In December 1998, the Carlson School of Management joined the center as a core partner along with St. Thomas. In December 1999, the center adopted its new name and mission signaling a shift in direction and opening the door to national and global programs and services. In addition, the center has launched discussions to increase its capabilities by developing strategic alliances with a number of national organizations.

Center for Ethical Business Cultures

1000 LaSalle Avenue, TMH 331 ▪ Minneapolis, MN 55403-2005 ▪ USA

Phone: 651 962 4120 or 800 328 6819 Ext. 2-4120 ▪ Facsimile: 651 962 4042

Email: mail@cebcglobal.org

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