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Barbara FranklinAmerican entrepreneur and manager
Date of Birth: 19.03.1940
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Corporate and Government Career
- Business and Academics
- 29th U.S. Secretary of Commerce
- Post-Government Career
- Current Activities
Early Life and Education
Barbara C. Franklin was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1940. She graduated from Hempfield High School and went on to attend Pennsylvania State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962. In 1964, Franklin became one of the first women to graduate from Harvard Business School, earning an MBA.
Corporate and Government Career
In 1969, Franklin joined Citibank as an Assistant Vice President. From 1971 to 1973, she served as Assistant Chief of Staff for U.S. President Richard Nixon. She subsequently worked at the Consumer Product Safety Commission until 1979.
Business and Academics
From 1979 to 1992, Franklin served on the board of directors of Aetna. She was also a Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business from 1979 to 1988. In 1980, she founded her own consulting firm, Barbara Franklin Enterprises, where she has served as President and CEO since its inception.
Franklin has also held directorships with Dow Chemical, Westinghouse Electric, Stanley Black & Decker, and Nordstrom. She has twice served on the President's Advisory Committee on Trade.
29th U.S. Secretary of Commerce
On February 26, 1992, President George H.W. Bush nominated Franklin to be the 29th U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Her nomination was approved by the Senate, and she was sworn into office on February 27. During her tenure, the U.S. significantly increased its exports, particularly to Russia, China, Mexico, and Japan. She also played a key role in lifting sanctions imposed on China by the United States in June 1989 following the Tiananmen Square protests. Franklin left office after Bill Clinton was elected president.
Post-Government Career
Following her government service, Franklin continued her private sector career. She served on the boards of Aetna, Dow Chemical, AMP, Inc., and Guest Services, Inc. She also held directorships with JA Jones, MedImmune, Milacron, NASDAQ, Watson Wyatt, Aviron, and GenVec.
Current Activities
Barbara Franklin continues to lead her consulting firm, Barbara Franklin Enterprises. She is active in various business and civic organizations and is recognized as a leading expert on trade and economic policy.
