Industry & Services >> CEO Interviews >> December 2, 2002
JONATHAN P. WARD was named Chief Executive Officer of The
ServiceMaster Company, the sixth CEO in ServiceMaster's 72-year
history, in February 2001. ServiceMaster is a portfolio of
quality service companies, including TruGreen ChemLawn, TruGreen
LandCare, Terminix, American Residential Services, Rescue Rooter,
American Mechanical Services, ServiceMaster Clean, American Home
Shield, AmeriSpec, Merry Maids and Furniture Medic. Upon his
appointment, Mr. Ward immediately began transforming
ServiceMaster with a renewed focus on residential and commercial
customers. ServiceMaster currently provides outsourcing services
for more than 11.5 million residential and commercial customers,
with combined customer level revenue of approximately $5.1
billion, and employs over 36,000 people. As part of Mr. Ward's
effort to improve profits and generate greater return, he is
building a high performance culture that is focused on delivering
consistent quality. A strong believer in Six Sigma, Mr. Ward is
implementing the quality system across ServiceMaster's
businesses. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Ward held the position of
President and Chief Operating Officer of R.R. Donnelley, the
world's leading commercial printer and communication solutions
company. During his 23 years with the company, Mr. Ward served in
a variety of other leadership positions. He was responsible for
establishing the two new newest and highest growth businesses at
Donnelley and for instituting the Six Sigma quality program. In
addition to his responsibilities, Mr. Ward is also a corporate
and civic leader. He serves on the Boards of J. Jill Group,
Direct Marketing Association (past Chairman) and the Chicago
Youth Centers (Chairman). Mr. Ward is a graduate of the
University of New Hampshire with a degree in Chemical Engineering
and also completed the Harvard Business School Advanced
Management Program. Profile
history of ServiceMaster?
Mr. Ward: ServiceMaster is a Fortune 500 company focusing on
services to both businesses and homes. We
