Leslie “Bud” Baker, Jr., retired chairman of the board of Wachovia Corp. and a driving force behind the 2001 merger between Wachovia and First Union Financial Corp., will meet with students and deliver the Legends of Business address during a luncheon at noon, Tuesday, April 27 in McKinnon Hall, located in Moseley Center on campus. His address is titled, “A Healthy Economy: True or False?”
The Legends of Business program, sponsored by the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business at Elon, gives students the opportunity to interact with experienced and influential corporate and business leaders.
Baker joined Wachovia in 1969. He held a number of leadership roles, including president, chief executive officer, chief operating officer and president of the North Carolina-based bank. He earned a reputation as a visionary executive who emphasized customer service and responsible growth.
He also led efforts to transform the banking industry through the use of technology. Wachovia is considered a leader in integrating technology into its services.
A member of several different organizations, including the Founders of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the Knight Foundation, Baker served on Elon’s Board of Trustees from 1991-1997. He served as chair during his final two years on the board. His previous board affiliations include the Federal Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve, American Red Cross, Carolina Power & Light and Wake Forest University.
A native of Lovettsville, Va., Baker received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and a master’s degree from the University of Virginia. He served in the Marine Corps from 1964-1967 and earned the rank of captain.
Baker and his wife, Suzanne, are among the university’s most generous donors. Their son, Rod, graduated from Elon in 1997.
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