New W. P. Carey School Hall of Fame members announced

Chris Cookson
October 13, 2011

Three top business leaders will be honored for their contributions to the global economy, when they are inducted into the W. P. Carey School of Business Homecoming Hall of Fame later this month. The new inductees include a pioneer in the entertainment industry, the head of a massive company in China and a key investment banking executive. They join an elite group of previous honorees from such diverse organizations as the American Red Cross, Motorola, PayPal, the U.S. Air Force, Wells Fargo Bank, XM Satellite Radio and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Chris Cookson, president of Sony Pictures Technologies; Elizabeth Crain, chief operating officer of Moelis & Company; and Xu Jianguo, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Shanghai Electric, will be inducted into the Homecoming Hall of Fame on Thursday, Oct. 27. This will be the 34th annual ceremony recognizing top business alumni from Arizona State University.

“This year’s honorees represent the best in a broad spectrum of industries, demonstrating how the W. P. Carey School of Business provides students with great tools to succeed in any industry segment,” says the school’s dean, Robert Mittelstaedt. “We hope future graduates will strive to emulate their successes.”

Chris Cookson holds more than 50 U.S. patents, including several involving DVDs. As president of Sony Pictures Technologies, he oversees the development and implementation of the studio’s technology policy and processes. Cookson was previously chief technology officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment and has won two Emmy Awards. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and an MBA, both from Arizona State University.

Elizabeth Crain was named one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Finance” by American Banker this year. She has been in the investment banking and private equity industries for more than 20 years, and as chief operating officer of Moelis & Company, she heads up the firm’s global strategy, infrastructure and business management. She was previously a managing director in the UBS Investment Bank Office of the CEO and President. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from ASU and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Xu Jianguo heads up one of the largest equipment-manufacturing groups in China. With more than 30 years of experience in industrial business management, he is now chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Shanghai Electric. Xu was previously deputy manager of Shanghai Daily Chemical Industrial Company. He received a master’s degree in economics from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and an MBA from the W. P. Carey School’s prestigious executive MBA program in Shanghai.

More than 200 alumni, business leaders, students and faculty members are expected to attend the Homecoming Hall of Fame event on Oct. 27 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale. A reception starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony.

Space is limited, and advanced registration is required. For more information on tickets or sponsorship, go to wpcarey.asu.edu/homecoming or call (480) 727-0596.