Cornell University The Johnson School at Cornell University

Speakers at the Johnson School

Johnson School Distinguished Speaker Series

The Johnson School Distinguished Speaker Series highlights the business world's most forward-thinking executives, top innovators, and knowledge-creating academic researchers. The spring 2008 series kicks off on February 25, with a heated, engaging, and humorous presentation to two of Cornell's most noted professors, on the topic "Election 2008: Not Business as Usual."

On April 3, the school welcomes Kenneth Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express Co.

February 25, 2007, 4:30 p.m.

On February 25, the Johnson School welcomes two of Cornell University's most noted and engaging political pundits-Ted Lowi, the John L. Senior Professor of American Institutions, and Joel Silbey, the President White Professor of History, Emeritus. These two distinguished professors enjoy squaring off on the topic of politics, and their timely sparring will bring new insights to the 2008 presidential election.

"Election 2008: Not Business as Usual" will include the perspective of Silbey, who frequently speaks on his analyses of state and national politics and political parties, as well as the outcomes for the upcoming national election and presidential race.

Lowi brings to the discussion his seminal typology of public policy in the U.S., first published in 1964. It seeks to explain the interrelation between distributive policies-"pork barrel" programs-government resources, and target groups. He also authored the groundbreaking book "The End of Liberalism," in which he argues that the liberal state grew to its immense size and presence without self-examination and without recognizing that its pattern of growth had problematic consequences.

streamed video

April 3, 2008

Kenneth Chenault has been chairman and CEO of American Express, the $27.7-billion global payments, network, and travel company, since 2001. At that time, he was the third African-American CEO of a Fortune 500 company. As the head of American Express Company (AMEX) he reenergized his company's brand, increased its market share, and won back many of the merchants who had abandoned the firm because of its high fees. In 2007, BusinessWeek and Interbrand ranked American Express as the 15th most valuable brand in the world, estimating the brand to be worth $20.87 billion.

Chenault inspires fierce loyalty in his employees, through is "lead-by-example" approach to management. His rapport with the company's more than 60,000 employees helped him boost morale in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, in which American Express' corporate headquarters at 3 World Financial Center in Manhattan were destroyed.

Chenault's talk at the Johnson School comes at a time when his company is projecting slowing in the growth of card member spending, to 8 percent to 10 percent in 2008. This represents a decline from the levels American Express has been generating in recent years, the company reports. Its 2008 business plan also assumes that write-off levels in the managed U.S. lending portfolio will average 5.1 to 5.3 percent for the full year.

"In line with our cautious outlook for 2008, we plan to curtail certain discretionary expenses and hold full-year marketing and promotion expenses somewhat below 2007 levels. Spending at this level should still allow us to capitalize on competitive opportunities and position the company to continue to gain share over the medium-to-long term," said Mr. Chenault, in a company press release.

Chenault earned his A.B. from Bowdoin College in 1973, and his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1977.