John Dewitt Macomber

John D. Macomber, a prominent corporate executive and board member of leading financial companies and nonprofit organizations, who rose from modest beginnings in upstate New York to become an early McKinsey partner and president of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, died peacefully on August 2, 2024 in Washington, DC. He was 96 years old.

A devoted husband, John and Caroline shared a full life of sailing, gardening, skiing, travel and a love of family. In North Haven, Maine, he and his wife Caroline held summertime family gatherings and threw annual lobster picnics under July’s full moon — a staple of the small island’s social life. He loved their gardens, raised sheep on the fog-dappled meadows and sailed boats among the surrounding islands with family and friends.

Macomber joined McKinsey & Company after graduating from Harvard Business School, rose to partner, and led the firm’s expansion into Europe while he was based in London, Geneva and Paris in the 1960s. He left McKinsey to helm the Celanese Corporation in New York, a global fiber and chemical company. He oversaw its expansion and dramatically increased share value, partly through stock buybacks — a concept he was one of the first to implement. Celanese was acquired by Hoechst AG of Germany in 1987 making it the world’s largest chemical company at the time.

Macomber was then recruited by President George H.W. Bush to head the Export-Import Bank of the United States. He brought with him the same pragmatic, innovative approach and made significant changes to the way the bank operated. Under Macomber’s leadership, the bank doubled its support of the US export sector and established its first thorough auditing procedures. John Dewitt Macomber was born in Rochester, N.Y., in 1928, the youngest of three sons. His father was a stock broker and the family suffered devastating financial losses in the Great Depression. He wrote in his memoir that these setbacks instilled in him a determination to succeed in business to support his own family.

Macomber graduated from Phillips Academy Andover ‘46, Yale University ‘50, and Harvard Business School ‘52. After a short service in the Air Force, Macomber entered into the nascent field of management consulting at a time when most business school graduates were hired by large companies for safe careers. His willingness to take risks was a hallmark of his long career.

In 1954, when sailing with two friends in Rhode Island, Hurricane Carol rose without warning and swept their boat out of the harbor. Macomber recounted the harrowing tale of trying to save the boat as the hurricane shifted and began to blow them back into the rocky shores. As the boat splintered under the heavy seas, he and his friends were cast into the sea. Hours later, they washed ashore and reunited. In Rhode Island alone, 17 were not as lucky, perishing from that unpredicted storm.

His luck continued that year as Caroline Morgan entered his life. On their first meeting in the foyer of Radio City in New York, Cupid was in attendance. As Caroline descended the grand staircase, Macomber turned to a friend and said with conviction, “I’m going to marry that girl.” Caroline was a descendant of J.P. Morgan and an alumna of Miss Porter’s School and Bryn Mawr. After a courtship, the couple married in 1955 and were inseparable for the next 57 years, until her passing from cancer in 2012. Even after her death, Macomber never tired of calling Caroline the love of his life.

In his active retirement, Macomber served on dozens of nonprofit and corporate boards, establishing a record of rescuing organizations from financial peril. He led efforts to save Adelphi University and the New-York Historical Society. He served on the boards of the Atlantic Council, Council for Excellence in Government, Rockefeller University, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Folger Shakespeare Library, Miss Porter’s School, and Phillips Academy Andover among others. The corporate boards on which he served included Chase Manhattan Bank, Lehman Brothers, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Mettler Toledo, Textron, R.J.R. Nabisco, and Xerox.

While Macomber was known for these incredible accomplishments over his lifetime, those who knew him will miss his energetic, smart presence and his style. His passionate drive for success was founded in an effort for bringing out the best in himself and those around him. He was endlessly curious and always there when needed, quietly advising and supporting.

Macomber was predeceased in death by Caroline M. Macomber, and his brothers William B. Macomber Jr. and Robert R. Macomber. He leaves three children: Janet Williamson of Portland, OR; Elizabeth of Vashon, WA; and William of Los Angeles, CA. He also leaves two daughters-in-law (Kelly and Annie) and six grandchildren (Coleridge, John, Alexander, Ian, Caroline, and Dorothy). His family imagines that he and his beloved Caroline are dancing together again, Cheek to Cheek.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Church in Georgetown, Washington DC, Friday, October 4th. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to North Haven Conservation Partners or Ocean Conservancy.