Jonathan (Jon) F. Plimpton
Managing Director IBMI
As founder and Managing Director of IBMI, he is responsible for the strategic direction in support of client assignments. He participates actively in international operations, coordinating services and overseeing the execution of business plans.
RECENT BACKGROUND
Before he founded IBMI in 1991, he served as Vice President of International at Prince Manufacturing, Inc., the tennis and leisure products company. He was also responsible for the company’s sport marketing operations. In 1987, Mr. Plimpton was one of six participants in a management-led buyout of Prince from Unilever. From that purchase until the company’s successful sale to Edizione Holdings of Italy (a Benetton family investment vehicle) in December of 1990, he continued to oversee international operations of the company. Under his leadership, through that period, the international business of Prince grew 2.5 times to represent over 65/o of the company’s operating profit and over 50% of its sales.
After successfully leading IBMI from 1991 and 2000, Mr. Plimpton he took a leave from IBMI to become Director of International for Church & Dwight, the diversified consumer product company (Arm & Hammer brands) and a former client of IBMI. He served in this position through 2005.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Prior to his arrival at Prince, he spent two years as Director of Export Marketing for Penn Athletic, a division of GenCorp (General Tire) in Pittsburgh. During that period, he established a strong base for the company’s products in Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East.
He also spent 15 years in the travel industry, working with Pan American, Trans World Airlines, Braniff International and Mexicana Airlines, where he ultimately served as Senior Manager for the United States, Canada and the Pacific. This experience involved him in every facet of airline operations, with special emphasis on sales, marketing and general management.
Raised in Lebanon, Argentina and Colombia, Mr. Plimpton was educated at Case Western Reserve University (undergraduate) and at the University of Chicago (MBA program). He is fluent in Spanish and has a working knowledge of both French and German. He is or has been a member of the SGMA (now SFIA), WFSGI, TTF, NJDEC and held key positions in travel industry associations. He was co-founder of the International Business Network in Central, New Jersey. He also is and has served on boards of companies and educational institutions.