Ross Perot
Ross Perot |
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| Current | President, CEO
and Chairman of Perot Systems Corporation.
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| Career | In September 1995 Perot
announced he would create a new party; running as the Reform Party presidential
candidate in November 1996 he obtained 8.1 million votes (8.4%).
Established United We Stand America, a nonpartisan, nonprofit citizen action group in January 1993. In 1992 inspired a grassroots nationwide volunteer petition effort; running as an independent candidate for president gained 19.7 million votes (18.9%) in November 1992. Founded Perot Systems Inc in 1988 and headed the company through 1992. Started Electronic Data Systems in 1962, built it into the world's largest computer services provider, then sold it to General Motors for $2.5 billion in 1986. Salesman for IBM's data processing division. |
| Activities | Author Preparing Our
Country for the 21st Century (1995, HarperCollins); Intensive Care:
We Must Save Medicare and Medicaid Now (1995, HarperCollins); Not
for Sale at Any Price (1993, Hyperion); United We Stand: How We
Can Take Back Our Country (1992, Hyperion).
In 1982, at the request of the governor, led the effort to reform Texas public schools. In 1979, at the request of the governor, led the Texans' War on Drugs Committee. In 1979 directed a rescue mission that freed two EDS employees in Iran. From 1969-72 worked to secure better conditions for POWs in Southeast Asia. |
| Military | U.S. Naval Academy 1949-53.
After graduation served four years at sea on a destroyer and an aircraft
carrier.
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| Education | Texarkana Junior College.
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| Family | In
1956 married Margot Birmingham. Five children: Ross, Jr., Nancy,
Suzanne, Carolyn, and Katherine.
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| Age | 69 years old. Born June 27, 1930 in Texarkana, Texas. Parents Ross and Lulu May Perot; sister Bette. Grew up in Texarkana. |