John Dulany deButts (April 10, 1915 – December 18, 1986) was an American businessman. He was the chairman and chief executive officer of AT&T from 1972 to 1979.Eric N. Berg, John D. deButts, Ex-Chairman of A.T.&T., Is Dead, The New York Times, December 18, 1986John D. deButts, 71, former chairman and chief executive..., The Chicago Tribune, December 21, 1986John deButts, Former AT&T Chief, Dies : Opposed U.S. Action to Break Up Communications Conglomerate, The Los Angeles Times, December 19, 1986
Biography After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, where he studied electrical engineering. He received a bachelor's degree in 1936. He was president of Illinois Bell. From 1972 to 1979, he was chairman and CEO of AT&T. He objected to the United States federal government's antitrust efforts to break up AT&T. In 1984, he was dismayed by the decision to break up the Bell System's twenty-three operating companies.
In 1976, deButts received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
He w as chairman of The Business Council from 1977 to 1978.The Business Council, Official website, Background
He resided in a family farm in Upperville, Virginia. He died of a heart attack in Winchester, Virginia, on December 18, 1986.
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