Harry Pearce

From USAFA Folklore

Mr. Harry J. Pearce is a 1964 graduate of the Academy. After graduating from the Academy, he received his law degree from Northwestern University’s School of Law. During his Air Force service, he was a Staff Judge Advocate.

He started working for General Motors in 1985 as Associate General Counsel and quickly moved to higher positions. From 1996 until recently, he was vice chairman of the General Motors Corporation.

He is a tough competitor, who is credited with making a huge impact on the way GM did business, winning a legendary legal battle with NBC’s “Dateline,” and leading GM’s advanced technology efforts to produce cleaner, fuel-efficient cars and trucks for the future. He is now the Chairman of Hughes Electronics Corporation, a subsidiary of General Motors.

In May 2001, Pearce received the American Jewish Committee’s National Human Relations Award. In 2000, he was presented with both the Black Patriots Foundation Leadership Award and the National Conference for Community and Justice’s “Humanitarian of the Year” Award for his work with the NAACP.

Three years ago, Harry was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, or AML, a life-threatening disease. He beat the illness, but saw the devastating toll it takes. He turned his personal battle with the disease into a public mission, and, today sits on the board of six different foundations that support leukemia and bone marrow research and treatment.