Glen H. Hiner

A child of a West Virginia coal miner, Hiner earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from West Virginia University and began his 35-year tenure with the General Electric Company. During the 13 years he led GE Plastics, the division grew from less than $1 billion to $5 billion in annual sales. Following his own advice to "look to the highest goal you can achieve," Hiner left GE to accept the leadership of Owens Corning in 1992.

Glen H. Hiner's business leadership is extraordinary in terms of high achievement as well as integrity, vision, and loyalty to his home state. 

In his decade as chairman, he established a global vision for Owens Corning, focused on customer satisfaction, individual dignity, and shareholder value. The company introduced new products, built new manufacturing facilities around the world, launched its System ThinkingT business strategy, and underwent a major restructuring initiative. When Hiner took the reins, Owens Corning sales hovered at $3 billion. When he retired in 2002, sales had grown to $5 billion, with operations in more than 30 countries on 6 continents.

Hiner's achievements have brought him deserved recognition. He received an honorary doctorate in science from WVU, was inducted into the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni, and spoke as an Acordia Royal/SunAlliance Distinguished Lecturer at the WVU College of Business and Economics. The Society of the Plastics Industry bestowed its highest honor, the Dan Fox Lifetime Achievement Award, on Mr. Hiner in 1994. He also received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., in 1997.

Not surprisingly, Hiner's leadership is much sought-after, and he serves as director for several companies, including the Dana Corporation, the Prudential Insurance Company of America, and the Kohler Company. He also serves as an advisor to a number of civic organizations, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the WVU Foundation Board.

Hiner has demonstrated in many ways his loyalty and support for West Virginia. A native of Morgantown and a WVU alumnus, he publicly acknowledges the West Virginia culture as the source of his high values and achievement. And his words are backed by active support. Besides the WVU Foundation Board, he has served on several WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources advisory committees, and in 2002 he began sharing his leadership and expertise with WVU students as Executive-in-Residence for the College of Business and Economics. In this, he demonstrates one of the most important attributes of a leader-the desire to teach and to give back.