Charles Duncan Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Duncan Jr.
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 2nd United States Secretary of Energy | |
| In office August 24, 1979 – January 20, 1981 |
|
| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | James R. Schlesinger |
| Succeeded by | James B. Edwards |
| 17th United States Deputy Secretary of Defense | |
| In office January 31, 1977 – July 26, 1979 |
|
| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Robert Ellsworth |
| Succeeded by | W. Graham Claytor Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles William Duncan Jr.
September 9, 1926 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | October 18, 2022 (aged 96) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Anne Smith |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Rice University (BS) University of Texas at Austin |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Unit | United States Army Air Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Charles William Duncan Jr. (born September 9, 1926 – died October 18, 2022) was an important American businessman and government official. He is best known for being the U.S. Secretary of Energy for President Jimmy Carter from 1979 to 1981. Before that, he was the United States Deputy Secretary of Defense, helping with military matters.
Earlier in his career, Duncan led his family's business, the Duncan Coffee Company in Houston, Texas. This company was later bought by the Coca-Cola Company in 1964. After joining Coca-Cola, Duncan became the company's president.
Contents
Growing Up and Education
Charles Duncan Jr. was born in Houston, Texas, on September 9, 1926. He was the older of two children. He attended the Sewanee Military Academy in Tennessee.
During World War II, he served for two years in the U.S. Army Air Corps. In 1947, he graduated from Rice University with a degree in chemical engineering. He also studied business at the University of Texas. For a short time, he worked as a chemical engineer for Humble Oil and Refining Corporation, which is now Exxon.
Leading the Family Coffee Business
In 1957, Duncan joined his family's coffee business, the Duncan Coffee Company. His uncle and father had started the company in 1918. Their early coffee brands, like Admiration and Bright & Early, were very popular in Texas and nearby states.
Duncan quickly moved up in the company and became president in 1958. Under his leadership, the company started making instant coffee, which was a new and popular drink. They bought factories in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to do this. Duncan also bought other regional coffee brands. He helped create Maryland Club Coffee, which was sold as a high-quality blend, competing with brands like Maxwell House.
Working for Coca-Cola
On May 8, 1964, the Duncan Coffee Company joined with the Coca-Cola Company. Charles Duncan became a member of Coke's board of directors. He was put in charge of the new Coca-Cola Foods Division, which included coffee and juice brands like Minute Maid.
Three years later, he moved to London to be the chairman of Coca-Cola Europe. In this role, Duncan managed nearly 300 Coca-Cola bottling plants across Europe and Asia. This included plants in Eastern Europe, Southwest Asia, and North Africa. Coca-Cola was the first U.S. consumer company to enter Bulgaria, which was behind the Iron Curtain at the time.
In 1970, Duncan returned to Atlanta and became Coca-Cola's president in 1971. During his time as president (1971-1974), the company grew a lot and updated its advertising. In 1974, Duncan left Coca-Cola and went back to Houston.
Serving in the Government
A close advisor to President Jimmy Carter, Charles Kirbo, suggested Duncan for a job in the government. President Carter then nominated Duncan to be the United States Deputy Secretary of Defense. In this role, Duncan supported allowing women to serve in combat.
During his time as Deputy Secretary, the Iranian Revolution happened. This event changed Iran from a monarchy to a republic. Duncan traveled to many countries, including Iran, which were experiencing a lot of change. A young colonel named Colin Powell was Duncan's military advisor and considered him a mentor.
In July 1979, President Carter chose Duncan to become the United States Secretary of Energy. Some people were surprised by this choice because Duncan didn't have much experience in the oil business. However, he became known as a strong leader. He believed strongly in saving energy and increasing energy production. Duncan set limits on oil imports, encouraged people to make their homes more energy-efficient, and supported gasohol. These actions helped reduce the impact of energy shortages.
After Government Service
After leaving Washington D.C. in 1981, Charles Duncan returned to Houston. There, he and his brother, John H. Duncan, started a private investment firm called Gulf Partners. He also served on the boards of many large companies, including The Coca-Cola Company and American Express.
Duncan also helped the state of Texas. At the request of Governor Mark White, he joined a committee on public education. This committee created the "no pass no play" rule, which required student athletes to pass all their classes to play sports.
Helping Rice University
Throughout his life, Duncan was a trustee on the Board of Governors for Rice University. From 1982 to 1996, he was the chairman of Rice's board. He helped find new university presidents and worked to bring more international students to the school. He also helped create the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, which is a non-political research center.
When Duncan retired from the Rice board, the university named a new engineering building after him and his wife, Anne Smith, in 1996. In 2007, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. That same year, they gave $30 million to Rice University to build Duncan College. This was the university's eleventh residential college and its first-ever "green" building, designed to be environmentally friendly.
Later Life
In his later years, Duncan worked with his son, Charles W. Duncan III, at Duncan Capital Management in Houston. He also served on the board of a non-profit education organization called Reasoning Mind.
Personal Life
Charles Duncan and his wife, Anne Smith, had two children.
Duncan passed away at his home in Houston on October 18, 2022. He was 96 years old and died from problems after a fall.
