James J. Renier

James J. Renier (1930 – 2019) was an American business executive who served as a chair and president of Honeywell.

Early life and education Renier was born in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1930. He graduated from the College of St. Thomas and later earned a doctorate in physical chemistry titled "Iodato-silver complexing equilibria" from Iowa State University.

Career Renier began his career at Honeywell in 1956 as a senior research scientist.

During his tenure, Honeywell underwent internal restructuring as an alternative to hostile takeovers or moving manufacturing operations abroad. The measures included cost-cutting, selling partially owned ventures, and spinning off some defense businesses.

Philanthropy Renier established New Vistas, a public school for teenage mothers and a preschool for their children located at Honeywell's corporate headquarters. The program provided transportation and modified school hours.

Renier was involved with the United Way, leading a corporate fundraising campaign in 1991 that raised $47 million. After his retirement in 1993, he founded the Success by 6 early childhood education program, which the United Way later launched nationwide. He received the organization's Distinguished Service Award in 1997.