Although he was president during an era that is perennially retro cool (1963 to 1969), the man himself was known as a consummate politician and something of a workaholic.

BBC: A presidential tour of Austin

Since joining Merrill he has ushered out several O'Neal holdovers, including former co-president Ahmass Fakahany ("a consummate professional, " Thain called him on the way out the door).

FORBES: No Thain, No Gain

The Clinton Administration's monomaniacal determination to consummate a deal right away (after three years of virtual indifference, fecklessness and inaction on the Bosnian crisis) precipitated round-the-clock negotiating sessions, arm-twisting and knee-breaking that has produced a peace accord, but almost certainly will produce no peace.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Ten months earlier the company failed to consummate what would have been a perfectly sensible merger with Norway's Telenor, also state-controlled (80%).

FORBES: Taking on Telia