Tex Thornton

Charles Bates "Tex" Thornton (1913-1981) was an American business executive who was the founder of Litton Industries.

Related Topics:
1913 - 1981 - Litton Industries

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He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, reaching the rank of colonel and commanding a staff of officers in the office of statistical control. Following the war he offered the group of ten to several employers as an all-or-nothing proposition to provide the corporation with an analytical management team.

Related Topics:
U.S. Army Air Force - World War II

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Henry Ford II had recently taken over Ford Motor Company which was in bad financial shape and had virtually non-existent financial control systems. He interviewed and hired the team, which became known as the "Whiz Kids". Seven of the ten went on to senior exective positions.

Related Topics:
Henry Ford II - Ford Motor Company - Whiz Kids

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Thornton left Ford in 1948 to work for Hughes Aircraft. In 1953 he founded a company called Electro-Dynamics, then acquired Litton, a manufacturer of vacuum tubes. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions orchestrated by Thornton, Litton became a huge conglomerate with a wide range of products. However, Thornton lost control of the corporation in 1961.

Related Topics:
1948 - 1953 - 1961

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The music school at the University of Southern California is named in his honor, due in part to a $25 million donation from his widow, Flora, in 1999. Thornton was a trustee and donor to the university for many years.

Related Topics:
University of Southern California - 1999

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