Al Williams was president of IBM from May 1961 until
March 1966.
Born in Berwick, Pa., on March 17, 1911 (the year in
which the Computing-Tabulating-Machine Company -- IBM's
predecessor -- was launched), Williams attended Beckley
College in Harrisburg, Pa., and was a Certified Public
Accountant.
He joined IBM in 1936 as a student sales representative
in Pittsburgh and continued in sales positions in various
IBM branch offices until 1942, when he was promoted
to assistant to the Executive Assistant at IBM corporate
headquarters in New York City.
Williams was elected IBM Controller in November 1942,
IBM Treasurer in 1947, and Vice President and Treasurer
in 1948. The IBM Board of Directors elected him a member
in July 1951.
In 1954, he was elected Executive President and, in
May 1961, president of IBM. Williams became a member
of the IBM Board's Executive and Finance Committee in
1956.
In November 1973, former IBM chairman Thomas J. Watson,
Jr., said: "I've had a wonderful relationship with
Al Williams. Outside my own family, I've gotten more
good advice, friendship, backing, and assistance from
him than any other individual in the world. I don't
think the IBM Company would be nearly the company it
is without the contributions of Al Williams."
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