What is the "Chief Executive Officer"?
A "Definition"
The definition of "chief executive officer" (almost always) depends on whether a business is a corporation or not, that is, whether it (usually) has a board of directors or not. In an organization that has a board of directors, the "chief executive officer" is (usually) the singular organizational position that is primarily responsible to carry out the strategic plans and policies as established by the board of directors. In this case, the chief executive reports to the board of directors. In a form of business that is usually without a board of directors (sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.), the "chief executive officer" is (usually) the singular organizational position (other than partnerships, etc.) that sets the direction and oversees the operations of an organization.

Major Roles of the Position of Chief Executive Officer
The following link references the major roles carried out by the typical chief executive officer.
General Responsibilities/Roles of the Chief Executive

Position Can Have Various Titles
This organizational position, whether in corporations or not, is also sometimes called the *President*, Executive Director, Chief Administrator, etc.



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Note added at 2002-09-09 23:03:24 (GMT)
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Резюме: президент, гл.исполнительный директор, генеральный директор... You say tomato, I say tomato :)