Cho Yangho

Cho Yangho (Korean: 조양호, Hanja: 趙亮鎬, RR: Jo Yang-ho, M-R: Cho Yangho; sometimes written Y. H. Cho^[1]) is the chairman and chief executive officer of Korean Air, chairman of the Hanjin Group, and a founding member of SkyTeam alliance.

Introduction

Cho was named Chairman and CEO of Korean Air in April 1999 having served as President and CEO of the airline since 1992. Prior to that, he held positions as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Korean Air. Cho began working for Korean Air as a manager in the Americas Regional Headquarters in 1974. He worked his way up the company ranks by continually adding various departments to his overall responsibilities - including maintenance, marketing, purchasing, information systems and corporate planning.

Education

After receiving a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from Inha University (Incheon, Korea) in 1975, Cho received an MBA from the University of Southern California in 1979, and a doctoral degree in business administration from Inha University in 1988. Additionally in 1998, he received an honorary doctorate degree in aviation business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida.

Career

Cho is the chairman of the Hanjin Group - one of the world's largest transportation conglomerates. He was named to this post in February 2003 after having served as the Group's vice chairman since 1996. He is also the Director and CEO of various subsidiary companies including Hanjin Shipping, Korea Airport Service (KAS), JungSeok Enterprise Co. and Hanjin Information Systems & Telecommunications (HIST).

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Cho was elected vice-chairman of The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) in 1996 and has held the title of honorary consulate-general to Ireland in the Republic of Korea since 1995. He was named Chairman of the Korea-French High Level Businessmen's Club in October 2000 and has also served on the Board of Governors for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) since elected in May 2001. In addition, he became chairman of the Korea-Canada Business Council in 1993 is currently serving as Chairman of the Korea Defense Industry Association since 2004. Cho has been on the USC Board of Trustees since 1997.^[2] In addition, he is serving as the chairman of the board of directors at both Inha and Hankuk Aviation University.

Awards

In 1994, Cho was awarded "Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower Medal" from the government of Korea. Moreover in 2004, he received "Commandeur" in France's "Légion d'honneur", which is the highest civilian honor awarded in France.

Personal

Cho is married, and has one son and two daughters. All three children are also graduates of the University of Southern California.^[1] His daughter, Heather Cho, runs the company's hotel division.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Fred A. Bernstein, Checking In: Dressing It Up Before Tearing It Down, The New York Times, June 7, 2009, Accessed June 8, 2009.
2. ^ Board of Trustees, University of Southern California, Accessed April 13, 2008.

Persondata
Name	Cho, Yangho
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Short description	Chairman and CEO of Korean Air
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