Hagler, Jon L.

Head shot of suited businessman (Jon Hagler) smiling against grey backdrop
Name: 
Hagler, Jon L.
Title: 
Partner of Grantham, Mayo, van Otterloo & Co., LLC
Texas A&M Class: 
1958
Inducted: 
2003

Biography:

Jon L. Hagler has a meritorious record of professional accomplishments and a dedicated commitment to excellence in his career as an eminently successful investment executive and noted philanthropist.  As the lead donor to the headquarters of the Texas A&M Foundation, he ushered in a new era in Foundation history through his vision of the Jon L. Hagler Center as an investment in Texas A&M’s future. 

Mr. Hagler received his B.S. degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M in 1958 where he also served as Cadet Corps Commander his senior year.  While a student, he also was a member of the Ross Volunteers, earned many academic honors, and was active in many organizations.  After graduation and marriage to his wife, Jo Ann, he served three years in the U.S. Army as an artillery officer.  Upon completion of his military service, he entered Harvard Business School and earned an MBA degree.  While advising fellow students, he found that he possessed a special gift for managing money. 

His first position after Harvard was that of research analyst with United Funds, Inc., a mutual funds organization.  Since then, his entrepreneurial skills have supported a meteoric career in investment management.  Four years after receiving the MBA, he was managing an investment portfolio of $1.2 billion and founded two investment management firms--in New York and Boston.  By the age of 40, he was chief investment officer at the Ford Foundation.  Mr. Hagler currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors and as a partner of Grantham, Mayo, van Otterloo & Co., LLC in Boston. This institutionally oriented investment management firm handles over $80 billion and has offices in Boston, San Francisco, London, and Sydney. He is also a trustee of the Hagler Foundation. 

With obvious business achievements, Mr. Hagler also is recognized for giving time, energy, and financial resources to support education and other philanthropic initiatives.  He holds memberships, directorships and trusteeships in numerous financial, professional and philanthropic organizations.  He is currently an Overseer for WGBH Public Television and Radio in Boston; and over the years, he has served on the World Bank’s Pension-Finance Committee and on the Finance Committee of the Rockefeller Family Fund.  Other service has included time as a Trustee of the Africa-America Institute and director of The Associates of the Harvard Business School and of United Asset Management. 

Mr. Hagler was serving on the Texas A&M Foundation investment advisory committee when, in 1996, he and his wife made the lead gift for the Foundation’s new campus headquarters.  He later served as a Foundation trustee and was named Trustee Emeritus in 2003.  He was a leader in A&M’s landmark strategic planning initiative, Vision 2020, serving as co-chair of the Executive Committee and later as co-chair of the Advisory Council.  He has also funded 92 Foundation Excellence Award scholarships and made considerable gifts to other entities within the University.  He has received numerous honors, including the university’s highest award for a former student–the Distinguished Alumni Award.  He was a commencement speaker at graduation in August 2003. 

No