Steven R. Mccracken

Steven R. McCracken, the charismatic former Chairman and CEO of Owens-Illinois, Inc., died peacefully at home on February 7, 2008, in Toledo, Ohio, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 54. Steve was a devoted family man who loved spending time with his wife and four children. They were the core of his life and an integral source of his strength. A tennis enthusiast for most of his life, he was a strong competitor, whether in the Boardroom or on the tennis court. Steve was an innovative leader with a pioneering spirit and dedication that spanned a 32-year career as a beloved mentor, savvy businessman and cutting-edge marketer. His legacy, including a collegial style, wit and infectious humor that embraced everyone around him, will be missed by the thousands of employees who worked in his organizations, and considered him not only a leader, but also a friend. Most of McCrackens career was spent at DuPont in Wilmington, DE, where he developed and led several of the companys most profitable businesses and brands, including Lycra r and Corian r . He later became President of INVISTA, DuPonts $6.3 billion textile subsidiary, and the worlds largest integrated fibers and intermediates business. In 2004, McCracken joined O-I as Chief Executive Officer and a month later was named Chairman of the Board. Steve was a great leader and innovator for our company, said Albert P. Stroucken, Chairman and CEO, O-I. His inner strength and resolve was an inspiration to us all and enabled our success. We feel privileged to have known and worked with him. Our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time are with Judy, Morgan, Kelsey, Conner and Molly. After earning a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN, McCracken joined DuPont in 1975 as a field engineer. During his tenure at DuPont, he has served in operations, finance, planning, marketing and business management positions throughout the U.S. and Europe, including serving as the Global Vice-President and General Manager of DuPont Corian r surfaces and DuPont Lycra r , both of which achieved record growth under his leadership. He also served on the boards of several DuPont ventures in Latin America and Asia. McCracken was brought to Toledo by O-I to help transform the company from a North American holding company to a profitable global organization. The internal mantra of One O-I, led by McCracken, was the driving force behind the transformation of the company that saw affiliates around the world begin to operate as a team. Under McCrackens leadership the company made record improvements and the companys recently reported net sales of $7.6 billion for 2007 is in part a testimony to the vision he brought to the company. While at O-I he also served as Chairman of the Board of the Glass Packaging Institute GPI and served on the boards of Keep America Beautiful, the National Association of Manufacturers and until recently, NiSource, a Fortune 500 energy company as well as on the Visiting Advisory Board for the University of Toledos College of Engineering. In addition to his beloved wife, Judy Sims McCracken, and his four children, Morgan, Kelsey, Conner, and Molly, Steve leaves behind his mother, Dixie McCracken of Franklin, IN, and his sister, Julie Stephenson, of Indianapolis, IN. His father, Joe, preceded him in death in 1995. Family will receive friends at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. in Toledo, Ohio, on Tuesday, February 12, 2008, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2008m at 10:00 a.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 3077 Valleyview Dr. in Toledo, Ohio and in Steves hometown of Franklin, Indiana on Friday, February 15, 2008, at Flinn-Maguire Funeral Home from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will also be held in Wilmington, DE, in the Spring. In lieu of flowers donations made be sent to the Steve McCracken Fund, Toledo Community Foundation, 608 Madison Ave., Suite 1540, Toledo, OH 43604-1151.