Beta-Sigma
University of Southern California
As an entering Freshman at USC, Frater Greg Woodson joined TKE in the Fall of 1969 as a member of the Beta Sigma Chapter, located in Los Angeles, CA. He served as TKE Chapter Athletic Director and was elected Chapter Prytanis in 1972. As a senior in 1973, Greg was honored to receive the International Top Teke Award. In June, 1973 Greg graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the USC Marshall Business School with a major in Marketing and Finance. Upon graduation, Greg was accepted into the USC Marshall Business School MBA program. Greg earned his MBA majoring in Marketing and Management graduating Magna Cum Laude in June 1974.
After graduating in 1974 Greg relocated to Minneapolis, MN where he began his Consumer Packaged Goods career with General Mills. Greg worked first on Total Cereal, then Betty Crocker Cakes before being promoted to work on the companies number one brand Cheerios.
After two years at General Mills, in August 1976 Greg and his Family moved to Houston, Texas where he joined Riviana Foods, a company being acquired by the Colgate Palmolive Company. Greg started as Product Manager retail Mexican Foods and then was promoted to Director of Marketing and Sales for the Mexican Foods Division and relocated to Los Angeles where the Division headquarters were located. The opportunity was terrific as the business doubled and in March 1979 the business was sold as Colgate Palmolive decided to refocus on their core businesses of Oral Care, Personal Care and Home Care.
After the Mexican Division divestiture, Greg accepted an invitation to join Colgate Palmolive headquarters in New York City. Frater Woodson focused on the global business with businesses in over 200 countries.
Greg had success in a diverse array of leadership roles at Colgate. Greg started in New York in Fabric Care within the US Company, was promoted to Associate Director Fabric Care in Global Business Development. After promotion to Senior Associate Director Global Fabric Care, in 1986 Greg was promoted to Marketing Director CP Thailand, in 1990 was promoted to Country Manager CP Denmark, in 1991 General Manager Fabric Care Europe based in Brussels, and in 1992 General Manager Colgate Puerto Rico. In 1993 Greg was promoted to Managing Director, North Asia Business Development where he was responsible for Colgate Palmolive’s business in eleven countries. Greg successfully reorganized China for accelerated profitable growth including completion of the largest oral care factory in the world. Greg was promoted to VP Business Development in 1995 where he expanding Colgate Palmolive’s business in Southeast Asia, with a focus on a successful business acquisition in Vietnam.
Greg returned to New York headquarters in 1997 and was promoted to VP Global Fabric Care, one of the corporations four global categories. In this role, Greg drove double-digit profit increases while successfully and sensitively managing the divestitures of non-core lower margin detergent businesses around the world. Greg was promoted to President Global Home Care in 2002. Greg was elected a Corporate Officer in 2007 and promoted to Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer reporting directly to the CEO / Chairman as well as the Board of Directors. After more than 36 years at Colgate Palmolive, Greg retired in July 2012 to have more time with Family and Skiing.
Greg grew up in Southern California and married his TKE Sweetheart, Cay, in July 1973. After more than 52 years of marriage, Cay is still Greg’s best friend and she remains Director of Woodson Family operations! Greg and Cay have three daughters and five grandchildren. Greg and Cay live full time in Lake Tahoe, where they enjoy skiing. In addition to TKE, Greg is involved in being an Angel Investor, serving on Start-Up Company Boards, serving on an HOA, acting as a mentor to business executives and school graduates, consulting small companies, and traveling frequently in the US and overseas, spending quality time with Family.
Frater Greg has many awards and accomplishments. He was the longest serving member of the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board. Received a Grand Prytanis Award (2003), Volunteer of the Month (2007), Foundation Fraternity for Life Award (2007), Circle of Excellence Inductee (2015), and Order of the Golden Eagle (2017). Frater Greg was one of the Founding Members and leading minds to develop the Life Loyal Teke Program. Frater Greg is a Top 10 lifetime donor approaching $600,000 in total gifts.