David N. Farr

"David Farr became Emerson's CEO in 2000 and was named chairman in 2004. Under his leadership, Emerson has steadily transformed itself from a products-based U.S. manufacturing company into a global engineering and solutions leader that today is driving innovation across the world’s most complex industries. Emerson technologies and solutions help more efficiently and safely produce and process energy resources for fuels and byproducts; better manage the digital economy through state-of-the-art data centers and telecom systems; automate the factories that produce manufactured products; and to operate climate control systems for homes and businesses in ways that keep people comfortable, food safe, and manage energy use​ more efficiently and sustainably.

"Since becoming CEO, Farr has kept the company focused on creating long-term value for its shareholders and investing for long-term growth opportunities. Farr and his management team are focused on driving sales growth while maintaining Emerson’s solid financial performance relative to earnings, cash flow, and return on capital. In 2014 Emerson had global sales of nearly $25 billion. Emerson is one of the few companies that have nearly 60 consecutive years of increasing dividends to its shareholders.

"Farr joined the company in 1981 in a corporate staff position. Over his career at Emerson, he has served in a range of senior staff and management positions at corporate and the business units – including serving four years as the Hong Kong-ba​sed president of Emerson’s Asia-Pacific operations, overseeing the Process Management business, and serving as the company’s chief operating officer. From 2005 to 2010, he also served as the company’s president.

"Farr believes strongly in the positive role business plays in economic development and is on the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the executive committee of the US-China Business Council. He also is a member of the board of directors of IBM.

"Committed to giving back to the community, Farr is active in a wide range of civic and charitable organizations in St. Louis. He is a member and past president of Civic Progress, an organization of chief executives from leading companies in St. Louis who work together to promote the region. He also currently serves on the executive boards of the Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis (The Muny at Forest Park) and the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. In 2012, he received the Semper Fidelis Award from the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, and in 2011, he was named St. Louis Citizen of the Year."