John Petty

John Petty came to TecSec in 1996 with an extensive business background. John graduated from Brown University with a BA in International Relations and was sent as a naval officer to the Korean Theatre with the Pacific Fleet. Two years later he joined the Chase National Bank’s international department. In 1966 he joined the US Treasury where he served for 6 years primarily as Assistant Secretary for International Affairs. In 1969 he was reappointed by President Nixon and was instrumental in the international monetary changes that occurred during this period.

Upon retiring from Treasury in early 1972 he joined Lehman Brothers as a partner and board member. His activities in corporate finance brought him to the boards of RCA Corporation, NBC, and Hercules Corporation. In November 1976 he was named President and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Marine Midland Bank NA. Then the 26th largest in size, this troubled bank was operating under a Federal Reserve Consent Decree. Shedding the decree over the ensuing years during which time John became Chairman and CEO Marine Midland rose to the 10th US bank in size. He had become a Director of the HSBC Bank in Hong Kong during this time, which the bank became the sole owner of Marine Midland in 1988. During 1986-87 John also served as Chairman of the Bank Holding Company Association, particularly concerned with aspects of the industry’s legislative program. Leaving upon the acquisition of Marine Midland John became Chairman of the High-Level Review Group for the multi-national InterAmerican Development Bank with the goal of mapping out its Latin American development plans for the 1990s.

Later in 1989 John concentrated on private investments, including forming Federal National Services and related units to finance especially small companies selling to the federal government. John had also become a director of Anixister Inc and Arris Group Inc. in the meantime.

In 1992 the Bush Administration selected John as Chairman to form the government-funded venture capital Czech and Slovak American Enterprise Fund to foster private enterprise where Soviet domination had stifled entrepreneurism. He shuttled between Prague, Bratislava for about 5 years where he had offices. His retirement about coincided with his initial investments in TecSec.

Throughout most of this period John continued active involvement in not-for-profit activities: the Council on Foreign Relations commencing in the 1950s; as president of the Foreign Bondholders Protective Council (1975 – 2012); the InterAmerican Dialogue from 1982 and from 1979 – 1990, John served the United Nations Association, becoming Chair of the USSR-US Economic Council.

John has remained as the active Chairman of the TecSec since 1997.