Gerhard Andlinger

Gerhard R. “Gerry” Andlinger (born January 17, 1931, in Linz, Austria) is an international business executive, philanthropist, sportsman, and founder of the private investment firm Andlinger & Company, Inc.

Following service in the U.S. Army, and becoming a US citizen Andlinger began his career with McKinsey & Company, a noted management consulting firm. In 1960, he was recruited to International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) by the legendary Harold Geneen as the first Director of Planning and Organization. Andlinger was named Group Executive - Far East in 1962. During that time he served on the board of directors of Nippon Electric Company (NEC) and Sumitomo Electric. He became the youngest elected Vice President of ITT at the age of 34.

Andlinger left ITT in 1967 to become chairman of Esterline Corporation, but was recruited back to ITT in 1972 as chairman of ITT’s Levitt & Sons, Inc. He later served as President of ITT Europe and was elected Executive Vice President of ITT Corporation. In 1976, Andlinger formed his own private investment firm, Andlinger & Company, Inc. (A&Co.). He has additionally served as chairman and CEO of numerous A&Co. portfolio companies. Since its founding, the firm, with offices in the United States, Europe and China, has been involved in over 100 corporate acquisition transactions.

In 1948, as a winner of a New York Herald Tribune essay contest for Austrian high school students, Andlinger made his first visit to the United States. At the age of 19, Andlinger received a scholarship to Princeton University - the alma mater of his earlier American student host - with advanced placement as a junior. He graduated from Princeton University in 1952 with a degree in economics and a minor in Arabic language. He continued his academic career at Harvard Business School and was awarded an M.B.A. in 1954. He also was awarded an honorary doctorate from Bryant College in Rhode Island for contributions to international management.

Andlinger has been a large contributor to Princeton University, leading hospitals in the area of cancer research, and the American Austrian Foundation among many other causes. He also is active in The Salzburg Festival Society. As an admirer of Austrian Arts, Andlinger has sponsored a variety of causes related to the exchange of art, specifically the Ars Electronics and an Exhibition of Austrian Artists in the U.S. Andlinger endowed the professorship for distance learning at the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Andlinger settled with the SEC an outstanding insider trading allegation by paying disgorgement and civil penalties in excess of $3.4 million and entered into an agreement barring Andlinger from serving as an officer or director of a public company for five years. He did not admit or deny wrongdoing.