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United States David Cote has transitioned from a driven corporate leader, including his tenure as CEO of Honeywell, to an executive chairman and author, sharing insights on business strategy and leadership.
David Cote was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell from 2002 and served as its chairman through April 2018. During his tenure, philanthropic efforts like Honeywell Hometown Solutions garnered over 80 awards.
David Cote is the executive chairman of Vertiv Holdings Co, a global data center products and services provider.
Cote previously served as a Class B director of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Cote was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on this commission.
Cote was appointed by President Obama as co-chair of this forum.
Cote was a founding member of the steering committee of the Campaign to Fix Debt, a bipartisan effort to build support for a comprehensive U.S. debt reduction plan.
Cote served as a vice chair of the Business Roundtable and later became chair of its Energy and Environment Committee.
David Cote worked for General Electric for over twenty years, holding various roles and eventually becoming CEO of GE Appliances in 1996.
Cote joined TRW Inc. as president and COO in 1999 and became CEO in 2001, implementing the Six Sigma management system.
Cote was a member of the board of directors at JPMorgan Chase and on its risk committee.
Cote was an advisor to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR).
David M. Cote was born on July 19, 1952, in Manchester, New Hampshire. He graduated from Pembroke Academy in 1970 and later earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of New Hampshire in 1976. During his time at UNH, he worked hourly shifts at a General Electric jet engine plant. After graduating, Cote joined General Electric full-time in November 1976, where he spent over twenty years. He held various positions across manufacturing, finance, marketing, strategic planning, and general management, eventually becoming CEO of GE Appliances in 1996. His career progression at GE was significantly boosted in 1985 when an interaction with CEO Jack Welch led to his promotion across three management levels.
In November 1999, Cote moved to TRW Inc. as president and COO, where he implemented the Six Sigma management system to enhance manufacturing efficiency. He quickly advanced to CEO in February 2001 and later became chairman of the board. A significant turning point in his career came in February 2002 when he was appointed CEO, president, and a board member of Honeywell, a $22 billion company that had experienced losses. He became chairman of the board in July 2002. Under Cote’s leadership, Honeywell transformed into a $40 billion global enterprise, known for its profitability and diverse technology and manufacturing operations. He instituted conservative accounting practices, established a trust for claims to stabilize environmental expenses, and implemented a new productivity management system that led to improved design quality, increased production, and reduced costs. During the 2008-2009 recession, he opted for furloughs instead of layoffs to manage operating costs.
Cote stepped down as Honeywell’s CEO at the end of March 2017 but continued as executive chairman through April 2018. Since February 7, 2020, he has served as the executive chairman of Vertiv Holdings Co. Beyond his corporate roles, Cote has been actively involved in public service. President Barack Obama appointed him to the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (Simpson-Bowles Commission) in 2010 and as co-chair of the U.S.-India CEO Forum. He has also been a founding member of the steering committee of the Campaign to Fix Debt. Cote has authored two books, “Winning Now, Winning Later” (2020) and “How to Be a Leader” (2024), sharing his insights on balancing short-term and long-term business goals, and leadership development.
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