Robert Louis 'Bob' Nardelli (born May 17, 1948, in Old Forge, Pennsylvania) is an American businessman renowned for his executive roles at major corporations. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Western Illinois University in 1971 and began his career that same year at General Electric (GE), rising over three decades to become one of the top three executives vying to succeed CEO Jack Welch. After being passed over for the GE CEO position, he served as CEO of The Home Depot from 2000 to 2007, where he implemented cost-cutting measures and operational improvements but faced criticism for reduced customer service and controversial compensation. He later served as chairman and CEO of Chrysler from 2007 to 2009, navigating the financial crisis and securing bailout funds. Post-Chrysler, he led the Freedom Group, a firearms manufacturer, as CEO from 2010 to 2012. Nardelli's career is marked by fiscal discipline and restructuring, though often criticized for prioritizing profits over customer and employee relations.