Greene, John A., 1893-

Cleveland business executive who was heavily involved in social service and philanthropic activities. He was a Trustee of the Cleveland Community Fund and President of the Welfare Federation of Cleveland and of the United Community Funds and Councils of America.

From the description of Papers, 1929-1961. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 17383361

John A. Greene (born 1893) was a Cleveland, Ohio business executive engaged throughout his life in civic and philanthropic activities. Born in Norfolk, Nebraska, on July 12, 1893, he graduated from the University of Chicago in 1914 and immediately joined the accounting department of the Chicago Telephone Company. World War I interrupted his career, and from 1917-1919 he was a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the the United States Navy. He returned to the Chicago Telephone Company in 1919 and later that year came to Cleveland, Ohio as Division Traffic Supervisor for the Cleveland Telephone Company. In 1919 he married Annabel Harrison from Baltimore, Maryland.

During the period 1919-1950, Greene served Ohio Bell in various capacities from Division Traffic Supervisor to Operating Vice President. In 1950 he moved to Detroit, Michigan, to become President of the Michigan Bell Telephone Company, only to return to Cleveland in 1952 as President of the Ohio Bell Telephone Company. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company from 1957-1958, and retired in 1958. During this period he and his wife had three children: Joan, Margaret Anne, and James L. His son died in action in World War II.

Greene's voluntary community service centered upon the Welfare Federation of Cleveland and the Community Fund. For the Welfare Federation of Cleveland, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees and of the Executive Committee, as First Vice President and Treasurer, and as President. For the Cleveland Community Fund, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees and of the Executive Committee, as chairman of the Goal Committee, and as chairman of Division A. In 1944, Greene was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Cleveland Community Fund for this work. He also served as campaign chairman of the 1953 Community Fund campaign, and as President of the Cleveland Community Chest in 1955. In 1958, he was President of Cleveland's first United Appeal, as well as President of the United Community Funds and Councils of America.

He was awarded the National Human Relations Award by the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1956, and the Eisenman Award in 1958.

His other affiliations included: Director of the National City Bank of Cleveland; President of the Cleveland Development Foundation; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Western Reserve University; chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce; and member of the Distribution Committee of the Cleveland Foundation.

From the guide to the John A. Greene Papers, 1929-1961, (Western Reserve Historical Society)