Harry Gray (business executive)
Harry Jack Gray (November 18, 1919 – July 8, 2009) was an American
He graduated with a
He left Litton to become president, chief administrative officer, and a member of the board of directors, of United Aircraft. He was named chief executive officer the next year, then also served as chairman of UA and its successor United Technologies Corporation starting in 1974.
In 1984 Oglethorpe University honored him with the title of Doctor of Engineering in 1984.[1]
Shortly before his retirement from UTC in 1986, he also became the second recipient of an
He then served as chairman and CEO of Harry Gray Associates, which participated with Shawmut National Venture in the 1993 buyout of Mott Metallurgical Corporation. In retirement, he and his wife Helen contributed to organizations such as Hartford Hospital, University of Hartford, University of Connecticut, University of Illinois, Mark Twain House in Hartford and other organizations. He is also listed as the largest private donor to the construction of the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia.[2] Bronze busts of Gray and his wife are on display in the museum, which also houses his helmet and other memorabilia, including his Silver Star awarded for valor during the Battle of the Bulge.[2]
As of 2003[update], Gray was also chairman of the boards of both Mott Corporation and SourceOne. Gray was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2003. Gray also served on the Board of Trustees at Sea Research Foundation (parent company of Mystic Aquarium) from 1997 until his death.
Harry Gray died on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at the age of 89
Gray was always preoccupied with holding more companies. But he was equally intent on controlling what he had. Passing the torch at the mandatory retirement age of 65 was something he could not abide. "In this system, we don't need a No. 2 man," he once told Business Week.[4]
References
- ^ "Honorary Degrees Awarded by Oglethorpe University". Oglethorpe University. Archived from the original on 2015-03-19. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- ^ a b c Top donor to National Infantry Museum dies at 89 Archived 2009-07-15 at the Wayback Machine, ledger-enquirer.com; retrieved July 2009
- ^ Harry Gray, Builder Of United Technologies Corp. And Philanthropist, Dies At 89 Archived 2009-07-13 at the Wayback Machine, courant.com; retrieved July 2009
- ^ "A Merger Artist Who Resented Making Just One Deal at a Time". Wall Street Journal. 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- Appointment of Harry Jack Gray as a Member of the President's Commission on Executive Exchange at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
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