John R. Opel

Responsible for obtaining a contract with Microsoft to create an operating system for IBM's first personal computer, Opel transformed the trajectory of the PC industry through a pivotal business relationship.

A U.S. computer businessman, Opel earned his MBA from Chicago Booth in 1949 and joined IBM as a sales representative. He held various management posts through the 1950s and, after coming up through the ranks, was elected President in 1974, then CEO and Chairman of the Management Committee in 1981.

He served on the board of governors of United Way of America. A discussion he had with Mary Maxwell Gates while they were both serving on the board resulted in an IBM contract being placed with her son's company, Microsoft, to create an operating system for IBM's first personal computer.