Alan Mulally
Born 1945 · Age 81
American aerospace engineer and manufacturing executive; longtime Boeing executive who became President & CEO of Ford Motor Company (2006–2014) and later served on corporate and academic boards. Credited with Boeing's resurgence and Ford's turnaround during the Great Recession.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Oakland, California
Alan Roger Mulally was born in Oakland, California, son of Lauraine Lizette (Clark) and Charles R. Mulally.
Inspired by JFK's moon challenge
At about age 17 Mulally was motivated by President John F. Kennedy's challenge to send a man to the moon, helping shape his interest in aerospace.
Earned B.S. in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
Earned M.S. in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering
Completed a Master of Science at University of Kansas (aeronautical & astronautical engineering).
Joined Boeing as an engineer
Hired by Boeing immediately out of college and began a long career in engineering and program management.
Named Engineer of the Year (Boeing & NSPE)
Recognized in 1978 as Engineer of the Year by Boeing and the National Society of Professional Engineers for contributions at Boeing.
Led cockpit design for 757/767 program
Led the cockpit design team for the 757/767 program, producing the first all-digital commercial flight deck and common type rating across models.
Earned Sloan Master's in Management (MIT)
Completed a Master's in Management (S.M.) as an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management.
VP & General Manager, Boeing 777 program
Served as director of engineering and, from September 1992, vice president and general manager of the 777 program.
Promoted to Senior Vice President, Airplane Development
Oversaw airplane development activities, flight test operations, certification, and government technical liaison for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Boeing 777 team awarded Collier Trophy
The 777 program received the Robert J. Collier Trophy for the greatest achievement in aeronautics and astronautics (Mulally as leader of the program team).
President, Boeing Information, Space & Defense Systems
Appointed president of Boeing Information, Space & Defense Systems and senior vice president of The Boeing Company (Feb 1997).
Named President, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Became president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (Sept 1998), later adding CEO duties in 2001.
Acquired CEO duties for Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Chief executive officer duties for Boeing Commercial Airplanes were added (March 2001).
Passed over as CEO of The Boeing Company (post-Condit)
After Phil Condit's forced resignation, Mulally was a leading internal candidate but was passed over for the top Boeing job.
Passed over again after Stonecipher resignation
Considered but again passed over internally for Boeing CEO when Harry Stonecipher left in 2005; this precipitated questions about his future at Boeing.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes: $22.6B in new business sales (by 2005)
Under Mulally's leadership Boeing Commercial Airplanes generated $22.6 billion in new business sales by 2005, marking a strong commercial performance.
Named Aviation Week & Space Technology Person of the Year
Aviation Week & Space Technology named Mulally its Person of the Year for 2006 in recognition of his performance at Boeing.
Ford borrows by mortgaging assets ($23.6B)
Under Mulally's leadership Ford borrowed US$23.6 billion in 2006 by mortgaging virtually all of its assets to create a financial cushion before the recession.
Took over 'The Way Forward' restructuring
Adopted and advanced Ford's 'The Way Forward' restructuring plan to reduce losses and return the company to profitability.
Named President & CEO of Ford Motor Company
Named president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company, succeeding Bill Ford (Sept 5, 2006).
Rolled out 'One Ford' strategy
Consolidated Ford's global strategy under the One Ford plan to simplify products, platforms and global operations (One Ford rollout and focus on global nameplates).
First profitable quarter in two years
Mulally's cost-cutting and restructuring initiatives led Ford to post its first profitable quarter in two years.
Sold Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors
Oversaw the sale of Jaguar Cars and Land Rover to Tata Motors; Ford received approximately US$2.3 billion.
Sold Aston Martin (divestiture)
Oversaw sale of Aston Martin as part of refocusing Ford on core brands and financing the turnaround.
Reduced Ford stake in Mazda
Reduced Ford's equity stake in Mazda as part of portfolio simplification and capital-raising measures.
Sold corporate jets; traveled to hearings by Ford hybrid
Responded to criticism over corporate jets by selling most of Ford's jets and traveling to Washington hearings by a Ford hybrid vehicle.
Total compensation reported for 2008
Mulally's reported total compensation for 2008 was $13,565,378 (base salary, stock awards, options included).
Testified before U.S. Congress on auto industry loans
Spoke to Congress in favor of government loans for General Motors and Chrysler, emphasizing the impact on parts suppliers and the economy.
Public $1 salary pledge if bailout used
Announced a proposal that his salary would be reduced to $1 per year if government loans were taken and used by Ford (Dec 2, 2008).
Included in Time 100 list
Named to Time magazine's 'Time 100' list of most influential people (entry by Steve Ballmer).
Negotiated UAW labor agreements
Negotiated agreements with the United Auto Workers that helped reduce effective labor costs (cited reduction from ~$76/hr to ~$55/hr).
Ford posts $2.9B pre-tax operating profit
Ford earned a pre-tax operating profit of $2.9 billion in 2010, a major turnaround from earlier losses.
Served on the President's Export Council
Served on the President's Export Council (formed in 2010) advising President Obama on export enhancement.
Unveiled Ford Focus Electric at Detroit motor show
Oversaw launch/unveiling of the Ford Focus Electric (global EV product introductions at Detroit auto show highlighted under his tenure).
Financial Times ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Award (Person of the Year)
Named Person of the Year by the Financial Times ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Awards in recognition of his leadership at Ford.
Named Chief Executive Magazine 'CEO of the Year'
Recognized by Chief Executive magazine as its CEO of the Year.
Edison Achievement Award
Honored with an Edison Achievement Award for his commitment to innovation throughout his career.
Awarded Honorary Doctor of Science (University of Kansas)
Received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Kansas for contributions to engineering and transportation.
American Icon: biography published
The book 'American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company' by Bryce G. Hoffman was published in 2012 chronicling his Ford turnaround.
Announced to stay at Ford through 2014
Ford announced that Mulally would remain as CEO at least through 2014 (announcement Nov 1, 2012).
Reported to be exploring earlier exit
Reports surfaced that Mulally might step down earlier than 2014 as he explored other roles; board reportedly sympathetic (Sept 2013 reporting).
Retired as President & CEO, Ford Motor Company
Mulally retired from Ford on July 1, 2014; succeeded by Mark Fields.
Appointed to Board of Directors, Google (Alphabet)
Appointed to the Board of Directors of Google/Alphabet (reported July 15, 2014). He later left the board by 2024.
Inducted into International Air & Space Hall of Fame
Inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum (2015).
Joined board of Carbon3D (3D-printing startup)
Joined the board of Carbon3D, a 3D printing company (noted in Franklin Institute biography).
Considered for U.S. Secretary of State (report)
Reportedly considered for Secretary of State in the incoming Trump administration (position ultimately filled by Rex Tillerson).
Senior Fellow, Seattle University Albers School of Business
Became a senior fellow at Seattle University's Albers School of Business (April 2016).
Bower Award for Business Leadership (Franklin Institute)
Honored with the Bower Award for Business Leadership (Franklin Institute) in recognition of a transformative career in aeronautics and automotive industries.
No longer on Alphabet/Google board (by 2024)
Reported that Mulally had left the Board of Directors of Alphabet (Google) by 2024.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Alan Mulally and others achieved at these notable ages:
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