Leo D. Welch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 22, 1898 |
| Died | October 21, 1978 (aged 80) |
| Education | University of Rochester (A.B. 1919) |
| Spouse |
Veronica Avilla Purviance
(m. 1926) |
| 8th Chairman of the Standard Oil Company (New Jersey) | |
| In office May 1, 1960 – March 31, 1963 | |
| Preceded by | Eugene Holman |
| Succeeded by | Monroe J. Rathbone |
Leo Dewey Welch (April 22, 1898 – October 21, 1978) was an American banker and oilman who served as a senior official with several major corporations. Welch began his career in 1919 with the National City Bank of New York and remained with the bank until 1944. That year, he joined the Standard Oil Company (New Jersey) as the company's treasurer. Dewey rose through the company ranks and was elected a director in 1953, appointed a vice-president in 1956, and executive vice-president in 1957. In April 1960, Welch was elected chairman of the board. He remained the company's chairman until February 1963, when President John F. Kennedy nominated him to become the first chairman of the Communications Satellite Corporation (Comsat). Welch stepped down from the Comsat chair in November 1965, though he remained a director until 1977.