Ronald M. DeFeo

Chairman & CEO / Terex Corporation / 1953 / Inducted 2008

Ronald M. DeFeo is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Terex Corporation. DeFeo joined Terex in 1992, as President of the company's then Heavy Equipment Group. He was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in 1993, became Chief Executive Officer in 1995 and Chairman of the Board in 1998. Before joining Terex, he served in senior-level positions with J.I. Case Company, directing operations for North America and Europe.

DeFeo instituted the Terex Business System (TBS) as he led Terex from a financial holding company to an operating model that melded together a collection of more than 50 companies. Under his leadership, the company has experienced a 12-year compound annual growth rate of 27 percent. It has operations in the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

DeFeo has been an advocate for increasing industry involvement in educating the public on the need for adequate investment in U.S. infrastructure. As an example, in early 2008 he spearheaded a national conference on the subject at a college campus that brought together leaders in government, business, organized labor and industry. This event aimed to reach out to students on the importance of infrastructure maintenance and to help elected officials see the issue in nonpartisan terms. Through DeFeo's guidance, Terex facilities take leadership roles in their communities. An example of this is the program that matches up to $2,500 when a Terex team member donates to a non-profit organization.