James G. Berges was named president of Emerson in 1999. He is responsible for all corporate development activities, including mergers and acquisitions, planning, and technology. Berges also is the business leader of Emerson Network Power and oversees EGS Electrical Group (a joint venture with SPX).

Berges joined Emerson in 1976 as director of manufacturing planning and has held key positions in the company's motor business, including president of Emerson Specialty Motors. He was named a group vice president in 1988, an executive vice president in 1989, and became vice chairman and a director in 1997.