Marvin L. Mann graduated from Samford University in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree with majors in accounting, economics, and office management. He earned an MBA with majors in marketing and economics from The University of Alabama in 1958. He graduated from Northwestern University’s International Executive Program in Switzerland in 1980 and was president of the class.
Mann joined IBM in Mobile, Alabama in 1958 as a computer systems account executive. He ultimately became a Vice President at IBM. Among Mann’s greatest achievements was his role in something commonplace around the world today – the Universal Product Code. While Mann was manager of IBM’s Store System Business unit, the UPC was developed in cooperation with major retailers and manufacturers IBM gave the UPC to the industry. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the first successful contributions to the UPC. Mann played a key leadership role in the success of the UPC and was the keynote speaker at this event.
Mann served as president and CEO of the Satellite Business Systems Company, a large partnership of IBM, Aetna Casualty, and Comsal. He managed the company and later led the sale of the company and merger with MCI Corporation. He served as general manager of the IBM typewriter business where he and his team laid the foundation to transition from typewriters to computer printers. He was president of the IBM Information Products Division that developed and manufactured typewriters, printers, and copiers. ATMs and other banking systems, and numerous other worldwide businesses.
After his retirement from IBM in 1991, Mann worked with the private equity firm, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, in the purchase of IBM’s desktop printer and typewriter business. He was chairman, CEO, and investor in the newly founded company, Lexmark International. Lexmark became a highly competitive, high-growth computer printer company listed on the New York Stock Exchange operating in more than 150 companies. Mann retired in 2010 as Chairman Emeritus of Lexmark for life.
Mann served as a member of the board of independent trustees of Fidelity Investments for 13 years, the last five years as chairman of the board. He also served on the board of directors of M.A. Hanna Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, and Imation, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Upon retirement, Lexmark established a $250,000 scholarship fund in Mann’s name at The University of Alabama. He continues to support the scholarship fund and the university in numerous ways. He and his wife, Frances, endowed the Frances Marvin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership at Samford University. His charitable service encompasses numerous worthy causes. In the early days at Lexmark, a number of the employees and managers were helping to build Habitat for Humanity houses. With Lexmark’s support, the employees built a house each year and have helped with additional houses for more than 20 years.
Mann was presented with an honorary Doctor of Commerce degree in 1993 and named Alumnus of the Year by Samford University in 1993 and 2004. In 2006, Samford presented him with the Ethics-in-Business Award, an annual award known as the Marvin Mann Ethics-in-Business Award at The University of Alabama. Mann is a member of the president’s cabinet and the Board of Visitors for the Culverhouse College of Business.
Mann served three and a half years in the Navy as a Navy Exchange Officer. He and his wife, Frances, were married for 53 years and have two children, Tara and Jeff; two granddaughters, Leah and Olivia; and two great-granddaughters, Madeline and Charlotte.
