| John D. deButts | |
| Birth Date: | 10 April 1915 |
| Birth Place: | Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Winchester, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Chairman & CEO at AT&T (1972–1979) |
John Dulany deButts (April 10, 1915 – December 18, 1986) was an American businessman. He served as the chairman and chief executive officer of AT&T from 1972 to 1979.[1] [2] [3]
After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, where he studied electrical engineering. He received a bachelor's degree in 1936. He served as president of Illinois Bell.[2] From 1972 to 1979, he served as chairman and CEO of AT&T.<ref name="nytimes"/>[2] [3] He objected to the United States federal government's antitrust efforts to break up AT&T.<ref name="chicagotribune"/>[3] In 1984, he was dismayed by the decision to break up the Bell System's twenty-three operating companies.[3]
In 1976, deButts received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.[4]
He served as chairman of The Business Council from 1977 to 1978.[5]
He resided in a family farm in Upperville, Virginia.[1] He died of a heart attack in Winchester, Virginia, on December 18, 1986.[1]