Former Corning CEO Roger Ackerman, who led firm from dinner plates to tech, dies at 83
Roger G. Ackerman, who led Corning Incorporated through dizzying change, died July 30 following a long illness, according to family members and Corning Inc. officials.
Ackerman, 83, was CEO and chairman of the board at Corning Inc. from 1996 to 2001, when he retired after 39 years with the company. During his tenure, he transformed a company best known for glass-ceramic cookware into one that holds market-leading positions in some of the hottest areas of technology.
His leadership helped propel Corning Inc. to the forefront of the Information Age as one of the world’s leading producers of fiber-optic cable and other optical technologies used to create the backbone of the internet.
Ackerman took the reins as CEO in 1996, succeeding James R. Houghton, whose family founded the firm.
Within about two years, Ackerman sold the kitchenware division that made Corning Inc. a household name and focused the company on technology: telecommunications − especially fiber optics − and advanced materials.
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“Roger will be remembered as a resilient leader who helped focus Corning’s strategy and leveraged our strength in materials science to drive innovation,” said Wendell Weeks, Corning Inc. chairman and CEO. “His impact and legacy are ingrained in our history, and we are so proud to have had his leadership.”
“Ackerman was Corning’s CEO when I first moved here in 1997,” said Corning City Manager Mark Ryckman. “He was always supportive. He often asked how the city was doing financially and wanted to know the progress of our community projects.”
Ackerman first joined Corning Inc. in 1962, the year he received a Master's Degree in Ceramic Engineering from Rutgers University.
After starting in the company's research laboratories, Ackerman headed several Corning Inc. divisions until he retired as CEO in June 2000, succeeded by John Loose.
Ackerman was involved in numerous company boards and civic and industry associations such as the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Foundation, Business Council of New York State, Corning YMCA, Northeast Regional YMCA, Rutgers University Foundation of Overseers, Alfred University Board of Trustees and lead director of MassMutual.
Ackerman loved most of all spending time with his wife of more than 65 years, Maureen, and exploring the world with her, family said.
Calling hours are 6-8 p.m. Aug. 9 at Phillips Funeral Home in Corning. A private family service will be held in New Jersey at a later date.
Ackerman is survived by his wife Maureen Egan Ackerman and four children: Kathleen Ackerman, Eileen (Mike) Lacombe, Roger (Bridget) Ackerman and Lysbeth (Steve) Kursh.
This article originally appeared on The Leader: Former Corning Inc. CEO Roger Ackerman dies at 83
