Jim Gleason 從1959年開始在公司工作，擔任各種職務，最終在1981年成為 CEO。他在2002年之前一直擔任公司的首席執行官，在他擔任首席執行官期間，通過有機增長和收購，公司經歷了重大轉型，規模擴大了一倍多。在此期間，該公司重新致力于其全球領先的齒輪技術戰略，擴大其產品范圍，并進一步擴大其地理制造足跡。2000年，該公司也回歸私有制(從紐約證交所的一家上市公司)。
除了在 Gleason 公司的成就之外 Jim Gleason 還在工業貿易組織中擔任領導職務，同時還在各種商業，社會，慈善和教育組織中擔任董事會代表。他還在格里森家族基金會(前身是格里森基金會)擔任領導職務，該基金會多年來一直是大羅切斯特地區最大的慈善捐贈者之一，近年來支持旨在改善全國中小學教育的倡議。
格里森公司董事長兼首席執行官約翰 · J · 佩羅蒂(John J. Perrotti)說: “人們將記住吉姆對格里森公司、我們的產業和他的慈善活動的貢獻，但最重要的是他的公正、幽默感、智慧、體貼和正直。“他幫助塑造并影響了當今公司文化中存在的價值觀，我相信這將是他不朽的遺產。”
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, June 20, 2022. It is with great sadness we announce the passing of James S. Gleason, a Gleason board member and former Chairman and CEO of the Company who died on June 17th at the age of 88 years old. Jim, a great grandson of the Company’s founder William Gleason, contributed to the Company in various roles, continuing to serve as a Director on the Board up until his death.
Jim Gleason started working in the Company in 1959 holding various positions ultimately becoming CEO in 1981. He was CEO of the Company until 2002 and during his time as CEO the Company went through significant transformation more than doubling in size both through organic growth and acquisition. During that time, the Company recommitted to its strategy of global leadership in gear technology, broadening its range of products and further expanding its geographic manufacturing footprint. In 2000, the Company also returned to private ownership (from a publicly traded company on the NYSE).
Beyond his accomplishments within Gleason Corporation, Jim Gleason held leadership positions in industry trade organizations along with board representation in various business, social, charitable, and educational organizations. He also held leadership positions within the Gleason Family Foundation (formerly Gleason Foundation) which for many years was one of the largest charitable donors within the Greater Rochester area and in recent years, supporting initiatives aimed at improving primary and secondary education on a national level.
“Jim will be remembered for his contributions to Gleason Corporation, our industry, and his philanthropic activities but most of all his fairness, sense of humor, intellect, thoughtfulness, and integrity,” said John J. Perrotti, Gleason Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “He helped shape and influence the values that exist in our company culture today which I believe will be his enduring legacy.”