Sloan, Alfred P., Jr.

Sloan, Alfred P. (Pritchard), Jr. (1875–1966) industrialist, philanthropist; born in New Haven, Conn. After studying at Brooklyn Polytechnic and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he headed Hyatt Roller Bearing Company and then United Motors, a group that supplied parts and accessories to General Motors (GM). When the company was taken over by GM, he joined the executive committee, and became GM's president (1923–37) and chairman (1937–46). He established a model administration, pioneered in trade-in policies, and embarked on diversification with such products as diesel locomotives, turning GM into one of the world's largest manufacturers. On retirement he focused on his philanthropies through the Alfred P. Sloan Jr. Foundation, which continues to make large grants for cancer research, engineering education, improving industrial management, and the general advancement of knowledge of science and technology. He wrote My Years with General Motors (1964).