Ernest R. Breech
Encyclopedia
Ernest R. Breech was an American corporate executive. Although he is best remembered for his work in revitalizing Ford Motor Company
in the years following World War II
, he served similar roles at Trans World Airlines
and other companies.
Breech was drafted by the St. Louis Browns
but opted to attend Drury College (Drury University
) instead Breech was a founding member of Phi Alpha Sigma, later Theta Kappa Nu
fraternity (now Lambda Chi Alpha
).
Breech dropped out of college, later taking correspondence courses before taking his CPA
exam. Breech worked for the Checker Cab Company
, General Motors
, and Bendix Aviation
before being persuaded by Henry Ford II
to come aboard at Ford.
At Ford, before the so-called "Whiz Kids" came on the scene, it was Breech who cleared the ground for expansion by trimming away Ford's corporate fat. Breech was the first of a long line of talented and successful number two men who were later dismissed or resigned under the erratic leadership of Henry Ford II.
The Breech School of Business at Drury University is named in his honor due to his donation. Breech was a 33rd degree Freemason. His induction to that degree was highlighted in the October 8, 1956 issue of LIFE
magazine.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
in the years following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served similar roles at Trans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines was an American airline that existed from 1925 until it was bought out by and merged with American Airlines in 2001. It was a major domestic airline in the United States and the main U.S.-based competitor of Pan American World Airways on intercontinental routes from 1946...
and other companies.
Breech was drafted by the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
but opted to attend Drury College (Drury University
Drury University
Drury University is a private liberal arts college in Springfield, Missouri.The university enrolls about 1,550 undergraduates, over 2,000 adult part-time undergraduates and around 400 graduate students in six master's programs...
) instead Breech was a founding member of Phi Alpha Sigma, later Theta Kappa Nu
Theta Kappa Nu
Theta Kappa Nu Fraternity was founded on June 9, 1924, at Springfield, MO. Delegates from eleven local fraternities from nine different states united to form the new fraternity...
fraternity (now Lambda Chi Alpha
Lambda Chi Alpha
Lambda Chi Alpha is one of the largest men's secret general fraternities in North America, having initiated more than 280,000 members and held chapters at more than 300 universities. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and was founded by Warren A. Cole, while he was a...
).
Breech dropped out of college, later taking correspondence courses before taking his CPA
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
exam. Breech worked for the Checker Cab Company
Checker Motors Corporation
Checker Motors Corporation was a Kalamazoo, Michigan based vehicle manufacturer and tier-one subcontractor that manufactured taxicabs used by Checker Taxi...
, General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
, and Bendix Aviation
Bendix Aviation
The Bendix Aviation Corporation, a manufacturer of aircraft parts, was started by inventor Vincent Bendix in 1929 as a continuation of his auto parts company. It was renamed to Bendix Corporation in 1960, and in 1983 was acquired by the Allied Corporation and combined with King Radio company to...
before being persuaded by Henry Ford II
Henry Ford II
Henry Ford II , commonly known as "HF2" and "Hank the Deuce", was the son of Edsel Ford and grandson of Henry Ford...
to come aboard at Ford.
At Ford, before the so-called "Whiz Kids" came on the scene, it was Breech who cleared the ground for expansion by trimming away Ford's corporate fat. Breech was the first of a long line of talented and successful number two men who were later dismissed or resigned under the erratic leadership of Henry Ford II.
The Breech School of Business at Drury University is named in his honor due to his donation. Breech was a 33rd degree Freemason. His induction to that degree was highlighted in the October 8, 1956 issue of LIFE
Life
Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased , or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate...
magazine.