A fourth generation member of the famous chewing gum family, William Wrigley Jr. currently sits as chief executive officer of the William Wrigley Jr. Company. The company was founded in 1893 by Wrigley's great-grandfather of the same name. The patriarch originally offered gum as a gift with the purchase of soap from his soap company. The soap wasn't half as popular as the gum and eventually Wrigley's Spearmint Gum came into existence. Educated at Duke University in North Carolina, Wrigley received a Bachelor's degree in economics in 1985.

After university, Wrigley joined the family company as assistant to the president with later responsibility for operations in Canada. During his career, Wrigley has been instrumental in marketing Wrigley brands all over the world. In fact, Wrigley sells more gum internationally than at home in the United States. In 1999, Wrigley's father passed away due to complications stemming from pneumonia. Wrigley Jr. was then named acting president and shortly thereafter was elected CEO. Wrigley is a member of the board of visitors of Trinity College at Duke University, the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry and Sunrise Publications, Inc. He's also active with the family's William Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation.

In his free time, Wrigley can be found indulging in a bit of golf or horseback riding. He's also an avid golfer. Wrigley ranks on the Forbes 400, a position his late father previously held.
Work History
(1999) named CEO of the William Wrigley Jr.

Company

(1999) named acting president of the William Wrigley Jr. Company

(1995) opened a plant in India

(1991) joined the board of directors of the J. M. Smucker Company

(1985-1990s) joined Wrigley as assistant to the president with responsibility for operations in Canada
Affiliations
member of the board of visitors of Trinity College, Duke University

member of the William Wrigley Jr. Company Foundation, whichsupports health and welfare services like the Alivio Medical Center, the American Fund for Dental Health, AGENDA for Aging Independently, the Chicago Abused Women Coalition, etc.

member of the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry and Sunrise Publications, Inc.
Awards
William Wrigley Jr has also won numerous Awards