George Weyerhaeuser
George Hunt Walker Weyerhaeuser (July 8, 1926 – June 11, 2022) was an American timber executive who served as the head of Weyerhaeuser from 1966 to 1991.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
George Hunt Walker Weyerhaeuser was born on July 8, 1926 in Seattle.[4] As the great-grandson of co-founder Frederick Weyerhaeuser, he was part of the fourth generation to manage the company.[4]
In 1935, at the age of eight, George was kidnapped while returning home from school in Tacoma, Washington.[4][5] The high-profile crime, which involved a ransom of $200,000, concluded with his release after eight days.[4][6]
Weyerhaeuser served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.[4] Later, he attended Yale University.[4][7]
Career
After graduation from Yale, he joined the family business, where he started in manual labor positions and progressed through the ranks.[4]
In 1966, he became CEO of the company at age 39.[4] Under his leadership, the company adopted innovative forestry practices, including the high-yield forestry model which involved intensive management practices like replanting, fertilization, and genetic improvement to increase timber production.[4] These practices, while increasing productivity, also attracted criticism from environmental groups concerned with their impacts on natural ecosystems.[4] Despite controversies, these methods significantly influenced forestry practices in the Pacific Northwest.[4]
Weyerhaeuser also served on several boards, including those of Boeing, Safeco, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the Rand Corporation, and Chevron.[4] He supported the development of the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, a key venue for the 1990 Seattle Goodwill Games.[4]
He retired as CEO in 1991 and continued to serve as chairman of the board until 1999.[4][8]
References
- ^ "The Shy Tycoon Who Owns 1/640th of the U.S. - Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com".
- ^ Fairbanks, Katie (June 19, 2022). "George Weyerhaeuser Sr. leaves legacy in Longview, on industry after death". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. C11. Retrieved January 15, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Fairbanks, Katie (June 16, 2022). "George Weyerhaeuser Sr., leaves legacy in Longview, on industry after death". Longview Daily News.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "George Weyerhaeuser Sr., timber company scion who was kidnapped as a child, dies at 95". The Seattle Times. June 13, 2022.
- ^ https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/matt-driscoll/article262649797.html
- ^ https://www.wsj.com/articles/george-weyerhaeuser-child-kidnapping-victim-survived-to-lead-forestry-giant-11655474416
- ^ "George H. Weyerhaeuser - Leadership - Harvard Business School". www.hbs.edu.
- ^ Fox, Sarah (June 15, 2022). "George Weyerhaeuser Sr. dies at 95". Kent Reporter.