CONTACTS:
• Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu
VANCOUVER, Wash. - Washington State University Vancouver will welcome Scott Carson, alumnus, Regent, Washington State University Board of Regents, and retired Boeing executive, as its keynote speaker at the university's 2010 commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. May 15 at the Sleep Country Amphitheater.
Carson will present "Leadership Lesson of a Lifetime" to graduates and their friends and family. In his address, Carson will speak to graduates about the opportunities that will shape who they are and who they become.
Until August 2009, Carson served as president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes where he was responsible for all of the company's commercial airplane programs and related services, which in 2008 generated revenues of more than $28.2 billion.
Named to that position in September 2006, Carson also served as a member of the Boeing Executive Council and as Boeing's senior executive in the Pacific Northwest.
In August 2009, Carson announced his intention to retire at the end of the year. Carson joined Boeing in 1973 as a financial analyst on the B-1 bomber avionics program. He moved into management in 1976. Carson enjoyed a successful 36-year career at the aerospace giant and continues to support special projects there.
Born August 1946, Carson graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He later received a master's degree in the same discipline from the University of Washington.
In September 2007, Carson was appointed to the Washington State University Board of Regents by Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire. Carson also serves on the board of governors of the WSU Foundation; is chair of the WSU College of Business and Economics national board of advisors; and is on the College of Engineering and Architecture advisory board.
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