Lehigh University:

John A. Cable 1945
John A. Cable graduated from Lehigh University in 1945 with a degree in industrial engineering. While a student, Cable was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity, the men’s soccer team, wrestling team, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. After graduation, he had a long career with Spartek Inc. and the U.S. Ceramic Tile Company, serving as chairman and chief executive officer of Spartek and also as president and chairman of U.S. Ceramic Tile for 33 years when the company was sold. Subsequently, he was chairman of the board of the Newell Porcelain Company for 11 years. Throughout his career, he devoted his energies to redeveloping and modernizing older manufacturing processes to enable a return to profitability.

At Lehigh, Cable has been active with the Lehigh University Alumni Association, serving as vice president of his regional board, class vice president, on the National Leadership Committee, and as planned giving class chairman. In 1995, he was a member of his 50th reunion committee.

In addition to his devotion as a volunteer, Cable has supported Lehigh as a member of both the Tower Society and the Asa Packer Society. In 2002, to enhance the development of leadership qualities in student athletes, Cable started a fund with the guidance of Joseph Sterrett. In 1965, Cable and his mother established the Davis A. Cable Endowment Fund in memory of his father. He also named a reading room in the physics building in his father’s memory. Most recently, his support named the John A. Cable ’45 Arrival Court outside the Alumni Memorial Building. Cable continues to support Chi Psi, men’s soccer, and the athletic department.

Cable and his wife, Janet, live in Richmond, Va. They have two children.