Purdue University's
School of Management
Spring 2022:
Issue 23, Vol. 1

With Honors - Executive education alumnus to receive honorary doctorate

John Krenicki Jr. earned his first degree from Krannert in 1991 through the school’s executive education program. He’ll receive his second — an honorary doctorate of management — at this spring’s commencement ceremonies.

Krenicki and his wife, Donna, are committed to giving back. They most recently made a $5 million gift to help establish the Krenicki Center for Business Analytics and Machine Learning. The center, which is led by Karthik Kannan, the Thomas J. Howatt Chair in Management, conducts research, student-led consulting projects, conferences and competitions.

“I think one of the many strengths of Krannert is its connection to an incredible engineering and scientific university,” Krenicki says. “This investment plays to Purdue’s strengths as a premier data-driven business school and STEM research institute. We are proud of the Purdue team and excited about the center’s future.”

The couple previously made major gifts to establish the John and Donna Krenicki Directorship of the Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience led by Chris Roche and the Krenicki Family Directorship in Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease led by Richard Kuhn. These institutes pursue research to alleviate suffering associated with trauma, disease or disorders of the brain and nervous system and the diagnosis and treatment of many of the world's most common diseases.

“We're betting on people and initiatives we feel good about. When we think someone has a good idea that aligns with our interests, we step up.”

“We saw all the fundamentals already in place at Purdue, so to pull it together in a cross-functional, broader initiative just felt like a sure bet, especially after we met the people on point,” Krenicki says. “We feel terrific about the work they're doing and enjoy meeting the students who are working with them. It's an impressive group of people helping to improve lives worldwide.”

They also funded the Krannert School’s John and Donna Krenicki Chair in Operations Management, which is currently held by Annabelle Feng. “At the time, the school wanted to be able to attract younger up-and-comers with endowed professorships,” Krenicki says. “Annabelle is a gifted talent, so we’re excited to see her grow as a researcher and teacher.”

Krenicki earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1984 and received an honorary doctorate in 2007. He received a master’s degree in management from Krannert Executive Education Programs in 1991, was named a Krannert distinguished alumnus in 2013, and received the Krannert Business Leadership Award in 2021.

“What I remember most about the executive master’s program was it giving me a broader view of the business world and playing field,” he says. “Also, my job required frequent relocation at the time, so being able to complete part of the degree online with the additional benefit of some in-person experience was unique and very attractive.”

Today, Krenicki is a vice chairman and partner with the private equity investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, an investment firm recognized for its commitment to operational excellence and improving the performance of the businesses in which the funds it manages invest. He serves as chairman of several of the firm’s portfolio investments, including Wilsonart International, Brand Industrial Services and Artera Services, and as lead director of Cornerstone Building Brands. He also is an independent director of Devon Energy Corp. and a member of the National Petroleum Council.

Before joining Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, he spent 29 years at the General Electric Company. He is a former vice chairman of GE and former president and CEO of GE Energy. His responsibilities included oversight of GE’s Oil & Gas, Power and Water, and Energy Management businesses, which employed more than 100,000 people in over 165 countries and represented more than $50 billion in revenue. Before leading GE Energy, he was president and CEO of both GE Plastics and GE Transportation Systems.

“Every person has their own reasons for giving, and my wife and I acknowledge that we’ve been very fortunate,” Krenicki says. “Our philanthropic contributions are driven by a combination of things. We're betting on people and initiatives we feel good about. When we think someone has a good idea that aligns with our interests, we step up.

Written by Eric Nelson

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