Dr. John E. Jacob, L.A., B.A., 1957; S.W., M.S.W., 1963
In the Fields of Corporate and Public Service

John Edward Jacob, one of America’s most revered corporate executives and national leaders, is Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., a $13 billion, St. Louis-based, global corporation that includes the world’s largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch, Inc.; one of the largest manufacturers of aluminum beverage containers, Metal Container Corporation; and one of the largest theme park operations in the country, Busch Entertainment Corporation.

Joining Anheuser-Busch’s senior management team in 1994, Mr. Jacob is one of 15 members of the company’s Strategy Committee, which oversees all major policy and strategic issues of the corporation. As Chief Communications Officer and company spokesperson, he oversees and directs all company communications activities, domestic and international, including public relations, corporate and employee communications, alcohol awareness efforts, corporate promotions, and environmental and graphic communications. In addition, Mr. Jacob chairs Anheuser-Busch’s Charitable Contributions Committee and serves on the corporation’s business practices and environmental, health, and safety policy committees.

Prior to joining Anheuser-Busch, Mr. Jacob served from 1982-1994 as president and CEO of the National Urban League (NUL), one of the nation’s most respected community-based social service and advocacy agencies. As president and CEO of NUL, he oversaw the League’s affiliates in more than 100 cities and its government affairs and research operations in Washington, DC. Of paramount importance to his legendary career at the National Urban League, Mr. Jacob is credited with solidifying the League’s internal structure and expanding its outreach, as well as helping guide the League to new heights of achievement and success.
Mr. Jacob’s corporate leadership has been matched with his civic leadership throughout his acclaimed career. He is chairman emeritus of Howard University Board of Trustees and has served on numerous organizational and corporate boards. He is the distinguished recipient of 19 honorary doctoral degrees and has been honored throughout the country for his exemplary corporate and public service.

Born in Trout, Louisiana, and raised in Houston, Texas, Mr. Jacob received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Howard University. He is married to alumna, the former Barbara Singleton, and they have one daughter, alumna Sheryl Jacob, who is Manager of Speech Pathology at Howard University Hospital.

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