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Langhammer Named to Disney Board

Dec 1, 2004  •  Post A Comment

The Walt Disney Co. on Wednesday continued its effort to beef up the number of independent directors on its board by electing Fred Langhammer as its newest trustee. His term begins in January.

Mr. Langhammer is chairman of global affairs at the Estee Lauder Cos., and becomes the fourth independent director elected to Disney’s board in the past two years.

The German-born Mr. Langhammer started his business career in 1964 with Canadian retailer T. Eaton Co. and joined Estee Lauder in 1975 as president of Estee Lauder Japan. In 1985, Mr. Langhammer was named chief operating officer of the overall company, and became CEO in 2000. In 2004, he was named to his present position.

Disney is trying to increase the number of independent directors serving on its board, which in the past has been criticized as being beholden to CEO Michael Eisner.

The board isn’t finished installing independent directors. The company said it is in the process of identifying another independent board member who will be elected within the next year.