Livio DeSimone

Livio "Desi" DeSimone, who led 3M through a period of rapid change as chairman and CEO, died of cancer in January 2017 at the age of 80. DeSimone spent 43 years at 3M, serving as CEO and chairman of one of Minnesota's iconic companies from 1991 to 2001 and as a director from 1986 to 2001. A native of Montreal with a degree in chemical engineering from McGill University, DeSimone joined 3M in 1957, the same year he married Lise, his wife of 60 years. The couple had four children. DeSimone began as a process engineer at 3M and held multiple technical positions in Canada, the United States, Australia and Brazil. He went on to hold executive positions for most of 3M's business sectors and served as area vice president in Latin America and managing director of 3M Brazil. Over the decades, DeSimone served on the boards of major companies including Cargill, American Express Funds, Target Corp. and General Mills. He also served as a trustee of the University of Minnesota's Foundation and is credited with partnering with the university on numerous research projects.