VPA was created by corporate bankers in New York for their amusement. Also for their survival. After 30 years, it now is open to executives with similar interests. Participation is free. Participation is anonymous.
This is an ongoing list; the names will be filled in due time.
Danford, Douglas—Westinghouse
DeNunzio, Ralph—Kidder Peabody
See Carpenter, Michael.
Dunlap, Al—Scott Paper
Shareholders come first, corporations have no duty to community
Once a bum, always a bum
Another example, like James Dutt, of someone being ousted because they are simply such an asshole.
Dunlap, Al—Sunbeam
Dutt, James—Beatrice Foods
A small Nebraskan operation meant to make the processing of cream more profitable for farmers. Following WWII, the company sought to expand a massive amount and go fully international.
Dutt Era. By 1984, they own companies like Avis Rent a Car and Playtex. Spawns ad campaign “We’re Beatrice” aimed at showing consumers just how much of what they buy is owned by Beatrice. This is supposedly an effort to “court” other corporations and financial investors (while unfortunately “alienating” consumers). Part of Dutt’s aggressive rebranding. Dutt manages to run the whole place to the ground with his temper and personal vindictiveness—not to mention, his awful business practices (worked in South Africa during Apartheid, dumped toxic waste into an aquifer).Aftermath—Dutt not invited to the reunion. But he was correct about the investments—“fear and loathing in executive suite trickled down and paralyzed company…Dutt was leading but nobody seemed to follow.” His personal acidity completely undercut his ability to capitalize on the correct investments he made.