Background
Beech, Olive Ann Mellor was born on September 25, 1903 in Waverly, Kansas, United States. Daughter of Frank B. and Suzannah (Miller) Mellor.
Beech, Olive Ann Mellor was born on September 25, 1903 in Waverly, Kansas, United States. Daughter of Frank B. and Suzannah (Miller) Mellor.
Student public schools, Paola. Student private schools and night courses. Doctor of Science in Business Administration (honorary), Southwestern College, 1954.
Doctor of Science in Business Administration (honorary), Wichita State University, 1982. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), St. Mary of the Plains College, 1988.
Office manager, bookkeeper, Staley Elec. Company, Augusta, Kansas, 1921-1924;
office manager, secretary to president Walter H. Beech, Travel Air Company, Wichita, 1924-1929;
founder with husband, Beech Aircraft Corporation, Wichita, 1932;
secretary, treasurer, director, Beech Aircraft Corporation, Wichita, 1932-1950;
president, Chairman, Board Of Directors, Beech Aircraft Corporation, Wichita, 1950-1968;
Chairman of the Board, chief Executive officer, Beech Aircraft Corporation, Wichita, 1968-1993;
also Chairman of the Board, chief Executive officer subsidiary organizations, Beech Aircraft Corporation, Wichita. Board directors Raytheon Company, member Executive Committee, 1980-1993.
Board directors 4th National Bank and Trust Company, Wichita' participant in panel discussion on Women's Part in War Effort, American Bankers Association Forum, New York City, 1943.
Member advisory board National Air and Space Museum of Smithsonian Institution, other aeronautical museum. Board directors 4-H Foundation, United Way Wichita and Sedgwick County, Wichita Symphony Society, National Junior Achievement, Metropolitan Wichita Council, Wichita Area Development Board. Trustee Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas, Wichita State University Endowment Association, St. Francis School Nursing Council.
Trustee emeritus Wesley Medical Center. Chairman board trustees Wichita Art Association. National trustee National Symphony, 1973-1975.
Board directors Music Theatre Wichita. Member Women's Aeronautical Association (honoree for Distinguished Service 1978), National Aeronautical Association (elected Elder Statesman of Aviation 1974), Kansas, Wichita (Over the Years award 1963, Uncommon Citizen award 1976) chambers commerce, American Institute aeronautics And Astronautics, American Bonanza Society (honorary), Society Automotive Engineers (aviation division), Soroptimists (honorary life director Wichita), Wichita Country Club, Wichita Club, Wings Club (Distinguished Achievement award 1981).
Married Walter H. Beech, February 24, 1930. Children: Suzanne Mellor Beech Warner, Mary Lynn Beech Oliver.