Thornton Wilson

American aviation executive (1921–1999)

Thornton "T" Arnold Wilson (February 8, 1921 – April 10, 1999) was the Chairman of the Board and chief executive officer of Boeing corporation.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Thornton Wilson (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Feb 8, 1921, died Apr 10, 1999.1

About

Born February 8, 1921, in Sikeston, Missouri, Wilson earned his B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Iowa State University in Ames and a M.S. degree from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. He also attended the MIT Sloan School of Management's Sloan Fellows program, but did not graduate. While attending Iowa State, Wilson was a member of the swim team.

Wilson was awarded the NAS Award in Aeronautical Engineering in 1985 from the National Academy of Sciences. In 1992, he was the recipient of the Tony Jannus Award for his distinguished contributions to commercial aviation.

Following his graduation from Iowa State, Wilson joined Boeing in 1943 and worked on bomber programs, notably the swept-wing B-47 Stratojet and B-52 Stratofortress, and also led the proposal team that won the contract for the Minuteman missile. He became company president in 1968, chief executive officer in 1969, and chairman in 1972. Wilson stepped down as CEO in 1986 at age 65, succeeded by Frank Shrontz, and retired as chairman at the end of 1987. He died at age 78 at his winter home in Palm Springs, California.

The main glass gallery of the Museum of Flight in Seattle, opened in 1987, is named for Wilson.

From Wikipedia’s article on Thornton Wilson, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

  • BoeingChief executive officer 1969 to 198613

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedMIT Sloan School of Management3
  • Date not recordedIowa State University3
  • Date not recordedCalifornia Institute of Technology3
  • Date not recordedMassachusetts Institute of Technology3

Career

Occupation: chief executive officer.5

  • 1969 to 1986Chief executive, Boeing4

Personal life

  • BornFeb 8, 1921, Sikeston6
  • DiedApr 10, 1999, Palm Springs7
  • CitizenshipUnited States8
  • SpouseGrace Wilson9

Awards

  • 1985Daniel Guggenheim Medal10 11
  • 1985J. C. Hunsaker Award in Aeronautical Engineering10 12
  • 1983National Aviation Hall of Fame10

Sources

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