As debate continues over the suitability of Stephanie Pope to lead Boeing Commercial Airplanes, it is worth recalling that Bill Allen, a lawyer by profession, was arguably Boeing's most influential president. Allen's tenure saw the launch of several aircraft that revolutionized aviation.
Critics have questioned Ms. Pope’s qualifications to revitalize the commercial division of the aerospace giant, noting her lack of engineering background.
William McPherson Allen was born on September 1, 1900, in Lolo, Montana. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1925 and joined the Board of Boeing Air Transport in 1930 while working at Seattle law firm Donworth, Todd & Higgins. In 1931, he joined the Board of Boeing Airplane Company as corporate counsel. By 1944, he was appointed President of Boeing when then-Chairman Claire Egtvedt determined that none of the company's senior engineers had sufficient experience to lead.