COMPANY

Founded 1875 by Minor Cooper Keith (1848-1929) as Tropical Trading and Transport Company. Merged with Boston Fruit Company in 1899, becoming United Fruit Company. Once the single largest owner of banana plantations in Central America (circa 1899), and widely known for supporting corrupt and brutal Central American governments, and backing assorted coups if a new regime was viewed as favorable to United Fruit's interests (from which we derive the term "banana republic"). After merging with AMK Corporation, changed its name to United Brands in 1970, and to Chiquita Brands in 1989.

Industry:
Agriculture

EXECUTIVES

Name	Occupation	Birth	Death	Known for
Thomas Dudley Cabot	Business	1-May-1897	8-Jun-1995	CEO of Cabot, 1922-60
Walter Bedell Smith	Government	5-Oct-1895	9-Aug-1961	CIA Director, 1950-53

PAST BOARD MEMBERS OR DIRECTORS

Name	Occupation	Birth	Death	Known for
Allen W. Dulles	Spy	7-Apr-1893	29-Jan-1969	CIA Director, 1953-61
Walter Bedell Smith	Government	5-Oct-1895	9-Aug-1961	CIA Director, 1950-53
Robert E. Wood	Business	13-Jun-1879	6-Nov-1969	Chairman of Sears, 1939-54

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