Bruce Gelb

Bruce Gelb (born 1927 in New York, New York) is an American businessman and diplomat.

He is the retired president of Clairol, and is the former vice chairman of Bristol Myers Squibb. In addition, he served as U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Belgium under president George H.W. Bush from 1991 - 1993. From 1989 - 1991, he was Director of the United States Information Agency in Washington, DC.

Education

Ambassador Gelb attended the Choate Rosemary Hall School (then the Choate School) and graduated from Yale University (B.A., 1950) and Harvard Business School (M.B.A., 1953). In addition, he served with the U.S. Naval Reserve (1945 – 1946).

As a private citizen, Ambassador Gelb has often turned his focus to public service. He served as commissioner for the United Nations, Consular Service and International Business in New York City, a position he was appointed to by former mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Prior to this, he served in George H.W. Bush's administration as the director of the U.S. Information Agency (1989-91) and then as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium (1991-93).

A devoted benefactor of the arts and education, Ambassador Gelb is presently vice chairman of the Madison Square Boys' and Girls' Club, a life trustee of the Choate Rosemary Hall School in Connecticut, a former board member of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and a former trustee of Howard University. He also served as a member of President George H.W. Bush's Arts and Humanities Committee.

Family

Gelb is the son of Lawrence M. Gelb, founder of Clairol. He is married and has four children. He resides in New York City and North Haven, Maine.