Who was the CEO of Boeing from 1945 to 1968?

William M. Allen was Boeing’s chief executive during the company’s leadership period from 1945 to 1968.

William McPherson “Bill” Allen became president of Boeing on September 1, 1945, after the death of Philip G. Johnson. A lawyer rather than an engineer, Allen initially felt unqualified to run an aviation company, but chairman Claire Egtvedt persuaded him to accept the role.

Allen made some of Boeing’s biggest strategic bets. In 1952, he authorized development of the 367-80 “Dash 80,” the prototype that led to the Boeing 707 and helped establish the company in the jet-age commercial market. His leadership also covered the Boeing 727, 737, and 747 programs.

Allen left the presidency on April 29, 1968, and then served as Boeing’s chairman through 1972. The title “president” appears frequently in historical accounts, but Allen is also widely identified as Boeing’s CEO for this period. Edgar Gott and Phil Condit led the company in earlier and later eras, respectively.