About Sam Palmisano

Sam Palmisano is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the IBM Corporation.   Mr. Palmisano was appointed to this position on January 6, 2003.  Previously, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer.    

He began his career in 1973 in Baltimore, Maryland.  Since then, Mr. Palmisano has held a series of leadership positions during his IBM career, including senior vice president for the Enterprise Systems and Personal Systems groups.  Mr. Palmisano also played a key role in creating and leading IBM’s Global Services, rising to senior vice president, and building the largest and most diversified IT services organization in the industry.  He also served as senior managing director of operations for IBM Japan. 
  
Mr. Palmisano is a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University. In recognition of his leadership role as co-chair of the Council of Competitiveness’ National Innovation Initiative, as well as his many business accomplishments, Mr. Palmisano was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in September 2005.  In July 2006, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the London Business School.