Joseph B Anderson

Early years

Anderson was born in Topeka, Kansas in 1943. He attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Engineering.

Military service

After graduation from West Point, Anderson served in the U.S. Army. During the Vietnam War he served two tours with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in South Vietnam. In addition to his service in Vietnam, Anderson was an instructor at West Point, and served with the 82nd Airborne Division. Anderson resigned from the Army after 13 years, at the rank of major.

The Anderson Platoon

During September and October 1966 a French film crew joined the then Lt. Anderson's platoon in Vietnam. The footage they recorded became a documentary titled The Anderson Platoon (La Section Anderson), directed by Pierre Schoendoerffer. The documentary has been shown in more than 20 countries and has won several prizes including the Oscar of the Academy Awards and an Emmy for the "Best Documentary Film of 1967."

The original documentary was released in 1967 and a re-edited version was released in 1987. A sequel, titled Reminiscences (Réminiscences) was released in 1989. "Reminiscences" follows up with the surviving members of the Anderson platoon twenty years after their tour in Vietnam.

Business career

After leaving the military, Anderson began a business career with General Motors. After 13 years with GM, he left the firm to become the president and chief executive officer of Composite Energy Management Systems, Incorporated (CEMSI). He worked with CEMSI until 1994 when he acquired a controlling interest in Chivas Products Limited, which became Chivas Industries, LLC, in 1997. He stayed with Chivas Industries as chairman of the board and chief executive officer until 2002, when he sold his interest in the firm.

He is currently the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of TAG Holdings, LLC. In 2008 TAG Holdings and its diverse group of companies had revenues of $743 million.