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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]