Harry Stonecipher
Encyclopedia
Harry C. Stonecipher
is a former President
and Chief Executive of American
aerospace
companies McDonnell Douglas
and, later, Boeing
. Stonecipher orchestrated the merger between McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, and was widely credited with the resurgence of Boeing. After a long and distinguished career, Stonecipher was forced to resign at Boeing following the disclosure of his longtime consensual affair with a fellow Boeing employee, who was not a direct report and whom he later married. In October 2010, Stonecipher agreed to join the Board of Directors of iControl Systems USA, LLC., a privately-held company providing data management and accounts payable outsourcing to major American retailers.
In 1960, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in physics
at the Tennessee Technological University
.
Stonecipher began his career at General Motors' Allison Division, where he worked as a lab technician. He moved to General Electric
's large engine division in 1960, and began to progress up the ranks. He became a vice president at GE in 1979, then a division head in 1984. In 1987 he left for Sundstrand, where he became president and CEO in 1989.
, holding this post until its merger with Boeing in 1997. During this period he became much more of a public figure, and even began hosting the company's quarterly video report 90 Days
. He remained on the board following the successful completion of that transaction, serving as president and COO (chief operating officer). In 2001, he was elected vice chairman and retired the next year.
succeeded him as interim President and Chief Executive.
Stonecipher's predecessor as Boeing CEO, Phil Condit, had resigned in December 2003 following scandal
s over defense procurement. These scandals surrounded allegations of stolen documents from competitors and the hiring of a government procurement officer who at the time was involved in the USAF's KC-767 contract, a contract of extreme importance to Boeing.
is a former President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
and Chief Executive of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
companies McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport...
and, later, Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
. Stonecipher orchestrated the merger between McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, and was widely credited with the resurgence of Boeing. After a long and distinguished career, Stonecipher was forced to resign at Boeing following the disclosure of his longtime consensual affair with a fellow Boeing employee, who was not a direct report and whom he later married. In October 2010, Stonecipher agreed to join the Board of Directors of iControl Systems USA, LLC., a privately-held company providing data management and accounts payable outsourcing to major American retailers.
Biography
Stonecipher was born in Robbins, Tennessee.In 1960, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at the Tennessee Technological University
Tennessee Technological University
Tennessee Technological University, popularly known as Tennessee Tech, is an accredited public university located in Cookeville, Tennessee, US, a city approximately seventy miles east of Nashville. It was formerly known as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute , and before that as Dixie College, the...
.
Stonecipher began his career at General Motors' Allison Division, where he worked as a lab technician. He moved to General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
's large engine division in 1960, and began to progress up the ranks. He became a vice president at GE in 1979, then a division head in 1984. In 1987 he left for Sundstrand, where he became president and CEO in 1989.
McDonnell Douglas
In September 1994, Stonecipher was elected President and CEO of McDonnell DouglasMcDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport...
, holding this post until its merger with Boeing in 1997. During this period he became much more of a public figure, and even began hosting the company's quarterly video report 90 Days
90 Days
90 Days was "a video report about issues, events and people important to you and McDonnell Douglas." The video magazine was produced in St. Louis, MO and distributed at the end of every business quarter through the mail to employees and shareholders of the company in VHS format...
. He remained on the board following the successful completion of that transaction, serving as president and COO (chief operating officer). In 2001, he was elected vice chairman and retired the next year.
Boeing
Stonecipher submitted his resignation upon request of the Boeing Board of Directors on March 6, 2005, due to an improper relationship with a Boeing executive named Debra Peabody. Boeing said an internal investigation revealed a "consensual" relationship between Stonecipher and the female executive that was "inconsistent with Boeing's Code of Conduct" and "would impair his ability to lead the company". His wife of 50 years, Joan Stonecipher, filed for divorce just days after news of his affair became public. Chief Financial Officer James A. BellJames A. Bell
James A. Bell is currently the Corporate President, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Boeing Company. He served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Boeing on March, 2005, following the resignation of Harry Stonecipher...
succeeded him as interim President and Chief Executive.
Stonecipher's predecessor as Boeing CEO, Phil Condit, had resigned in December 2003 following scandal
Scandal
A scandal is a widely publicized allegation or set of allegations that damages the reputation of an institution, individual or creed...
s over defense procurement. These scandals surrounded allegations of stolen documents from competitors and the hiring of a government procurement officer who at the time was involved in the USAF's KC-767 contract, a contract of extreme importance to Boeing.