Storrow, James J.
James J. Storrow (1864–1926) was the third president of General Motors. He served on an interim basis beginning on November 23, 1910 until January 26, 1911.
Storrow, an investment banker/lawyer from Boston, led a group of financiers who wrestled control of General Motors from founder Billy Durant in 1910. Durant’s financial backers had become concerned with his wheeling and dealing. Through a voting trust, they were able to take over General Motors when Durant attempted to refinance the company. A new board was elected and this event helped to stabilize GM’s financial standing.
James Storrow and future General Motors president Charles Nash are credited with bringing order to the loose-knit organization assembled by Durant. Storrow is also the man who introduced Nash to Walter P. Chrysler, the man who helped him revive Buick. Storrow met Chrysler when serving on the board of directors for the American Locomotive Company. Chrysler was employed as assisted works manager at ALCO.
Despite stepping down as president after only two months, Storrow remained on the board of directors until 1916 when Durant regained control of General Motors.
He was also a overseer of Harvard College (1897 - 1909); the first president of the Boston Chamber of Commerce; ran for the office of mayor of Boston (1909); and until his death, was the second national president of the National Council of Boy Scouts of America (1925-1926). He posthumously received the fifth Silver Buffalo Award for distinguished service to youth in 1926.
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