Michael Milken
Survivor Inductee

Drew Nieporent
Humanitarian, 2005

Senator John Mc.Cain
2004 Inductee

Deirdre and Don Imus
Humanitarian Award

Geraldine Ferraro, Fran and Jack Dalessandro
2003 Inductee

Ken Langone
2003 Humanitarian Award

Patrick McMullan
2002 Inductee

Douglas McCormick
2002 Humanitarian Award

Mayor Rudolph Giuliani
2001 Inductee

Nancy Brinker
2000 Inductee

Carol M. Baldwin
1999 Inductee

Jill Eikenberry
1998 Inductee

Harry Belafonte
1998 Inductee

William R. Johnston
1998 Humanitarian Award

William R. Johnston
1998 Humanitarian Award

Linda Ellerbee
1997 Inductee

William R. Johnston

When William R. Johnston (“Call me Bill”) was elected CR&T President in 1988, he asked the following question: “What would happen if the Cancer Research and Treatment Fund has to close its doors? For starters, clinical trails in breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma and lung cancer in which CR&T has been involved would be a thing of the past. Potential life-saving methods that could have been developed in our trials would be wiped out. Could this happen?”

Johnston went on to discuss proposed cuts in government programs that could severely damage CR&T’s daily operation. Then came his appeal for contributions. But there was an added ingredient. He was speaking from his heart – and from his pocket book. He was and remains to this day one of the most generous contributors to the Fund.

In 1985 he joined CR&T’s Advisory Committee which has since evolved into the Board of Directors. Johnston had been a friend and patient of Dr. Richard T. Silver, founder and Medical Director of CR&T, for more than 20years. “The whole concept of somebody coming up with a cure for cancer is mind-boggling. And that is just what CR&T is trying to do. It’s great to be in on the ground floor of something that is taking shape. We are in a period of growth and expansion and that is exciting.”

Johnston is famous for his lively sense of humor – lurking just beneath a gruff exterior that friends recognize as mostly for show. His intellect and well developed charisma inspire support and loyalty. He has an aura that encourages a positive response. He is an excellent spokesman for the New York Stock Exchange.

But it is not all for show. When he became President of the NYSE in July 1996, his responsibilities were to oversee the areas of new listings and client services. As Chief Operations Officer he is responsible for daily operations, equities, market data, technology, regulation and the office of general counsel.

Johnston has been a member of the NYSE since 1964. He was named a Director of the Exchange in 1992 and Vice President in 1995. From 1991-92, he was a senior floor official. He served a floor governor from 1985-91 and floor official from 1979-1985.

He was Senior Managing Director of LaBranche & Co., a leading specialist firm, before becoming a Director of the NYSE. He joined LaBranche in 1990. Before that he has been Chairman and CEO of Agora Securities, Inc., a company he founded in 1980. He was a Senior Vice President and Director of Mitchum, Jones & Templeton, Inc from 1971-80.

Besides serving on the many administrative committees of the NYSE, he also served as a Director of the NYSE Foundation and as a Director on the National Organization of Investment Professionals.