George Weyerhaeuser | |
|---|---|
| Born | George Hunt Walker Weyerhaeuser (1926-07-08)July 8, 1926 Seattle,Washington, U.S. |
| Died | June 11, 2022(2022-06-11) (aged 95) |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Occupation | Timber executive |
| Relatives | Friedrich Weyerhäuser (great-grandfather) |
George Hunt Walker Weyerhaeuser (July 8, 1926 – June 11, 2022) was an American timber executive who served as the head ofWeyerhaeuser from 1966 to 1991.[1][2][3]
George Hunt Walker Weyerhaeuser was born on July 8, 1926 inSeattle.[4] As the great-grandson of co-founderFrederick 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 inTacoma, 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 theU.S. Navy duringWorld War II.[4] Later, he attendedYale 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 innovativeforestry 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 increasingproductivity, also attracted criticism from environmental groups concerned with their impacts on naturalecosystems.[4] Despite controversies, these methods significantly influenced forestry practices in thePacific 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]