George Weyerhaeuser Explained

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]}

Early life and education

See also: George Weyerhaeuser kidnapping. 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]}

Career

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]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Shy Tycoon Who Owns 1/640th of the U.S. - Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com. 2024-07-14. 2024-06-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20240621082914/https://vault.si.com/vault/1969/08/18/the-shy-tycoon-who-owns-1640th-of-the-us. live.
2. News: George Weyerhaeuser Sr. leaves legacy in Longview, on industry after death . Katie . Fairbanks . . . C11 . June 19, 2022 . January 15, 2023 . newspapers.com.
3. Web site: George Weyerhaeuser Sr., leaves legacy in Longview, on industry after death. Katie. Fairbanks. June 16, 2022. Longview Daily News. July 14, 2024. June 27, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220627195011/https://tdn.com/news/local/george-weyerhaeuser-sr-leaves-legacy-in-longview-on-industry-after-death/article_263be0ce-ed95-11ec-819d-a7e9df151249.html. live.
4. Web site: George Weyerhaeuser Sr., timber company scion who was kidnapped as a child, dies at 95. June 13, 2022. The Seattle Times. July 14, 2024. June 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240620191634/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/george-weyerhaeuser-sr-great-grandson-of-timber-company-founder-and-childhood-kidnap-victim-dies-at-95/. live.
5. Web site: DRISCOLL . MATT . 2022-06-24 . The crime that put Tacoma on the map: Death of a timber scion hearkens back to city's past . www.thenewstribune.com.
6. Web site: Hagerty . James R. . 2022-06-17 . George Weyerhaeuser, Child-Kidnapping Victim, Survived to Lead Forestry Giant . www.wsj.com . 2024-07-14 . 2022-08-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220804122422/https://www.wsj.com/articles/george-weyerhaeuser-child-kidnapping-victim-survived-to-lead-forestry-giant-11655474416 . live .
7. Web site: George H. Weyerhaeuser - Leadership - Harvard Business School. www.hbs.edu. 2024-07-14. 2024-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20240605203401/https://www.hbs.edu/leadership/20th-century-leaders/details?profile=george_h_weyerhaeuser. live.
8. Web site: George Weyerhaeuser Sr. dies at 95. Sarah. Fox. June 15, 2022. Kent Reporter. July 14, 2024. February 27, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240227203320/https://www.kentreporter.com/northwest/george-weyerhaeuser-sr-dies-at-95/. live.