Robert Nardelli

Robert L. Nardelli is the former Chairman, President, and CEO of The Home Depot, serving from December 2000 to January 2007. Prior to that, he was one of the top four executives at General Electric.

Nardelli received his Bachelor of Science in business from Western Illinois University and earned an MBA from University of Louisville.

When Jack Welch retired as Chairman and CEO of General Electric, there was a lengthy and well-publicized succession planning saga. Nardelli competed with James McNerney and Jeff Immelt to succeed Welch. With Immelt winning the three-way race, Nardelli and McNerney left GE.

Nardelli became CEO of Home Depot in December 2000. He was credited with doubling the sales of the chain and improving its competitive position. Revenue increased to $81.5 billion in 2005 from $45.7 billion in 2000, while profit rose to $5.8 billion from $2.6 billion. However, the company's stagnating share price, his results-driven management style, and his compensation eventually earned the ire of investors. Despite having received the solid support of Home Depot's board of directors over the past few years, Nardelli aruptly resigned on January 3, 2007 and was succeeded by his deputy, vice chairman and executive vice president Frank Blake.

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