McDonnell Douglas Foundation Incorporates Boeing Name; Selects New Board of Directors
For a half century, the corporate-funded McDonnell Douglas Foundation has advanced the goals of not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions. Today, it continues to reach out to the St. Louis community, only with a new name: the Boeing-McDonnell Foundation.
Chaired by former McDonnell Douglas Chairman John F. McDonnell, the Foundation was renamed by its board of directors in January to reconfirm both the Boeing philosophy on giving and the level of involvement it is committed to upholding in the St. Louis area.
"The merger in August 1997 brought the opportunity to introduce The Boeing Company into the St. Louis region," said McDonnell. "Boeing is recognized around the world for its outstanding contributions to aviation and the communities where its employees reside. McDonnell Douglas enjoyed that same reputation, so it is only natural that we reflect both great heritages in the name of our Foundation."
The Boeing-McDonnell Foundation will focus all of its financial resources in the St. Louis region, where its current rate of giving is more than $6 million per year, according to McDonnell.
Education remains the primary focus of the Boeing-McDonnell Foundation. The Foundation invests in community programs that enhance learning from the formative years, through college, and beyond. Recipients have included the St. Louis Public School's Community Education Centers, which include 16 elementary schools; the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Washington University and St. Louis University.
Health and Human Services organizations, such as Youth In Need, the Variety Club of St. Louis and the United Way, will continue to receive support from the Boeing-McDonnell Foundation, as will Civic, Arts and Cultural organizations like the St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis Zoo and Forest Park.
In addition to the name change, the Boeing-McDonnell Foundation also has a new board of directors. John McDonnell, who retired last year as chairman of McDonnell Douglas Corp., remains as chairman of the Foundation; and Toni Bailey, Boeing corporate vice president of Community and Local Government Relations, retains the position of president. New directors include St. Louisans Mike Sears, Boeing president of McDonnell Aircraft and Missile Systems; Jerry Daniels, vice president and general manager of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Programs; and Roger Krone, vice president and general manager of Business Resources. Also new to the board is Seattle-based John Warner, senior vice president and chief administrative officer for The Boeing Company.
"Strong communities make strong corporations, and The Boeing Company will never forget that simple truth," said McDonnell. "Of the 235,000 people Boeing employs worldwide, 23,000 of them live and work in the St. Louis area. Through the generosity of the Boeing-McDonnell Foundation and the spirit of the employees of The Boeing Company, we know we can make a tremendous difference in our communities, our nation and the world. And we will, working together."
Mary Ann Brett