Career
Although he is best remembered for his work in revitalizing Ford Motor Company in the years following World World War II, he served similar roles at Transport World Airlines and other companies. Breech was drafted by the Saint Louis Browns but opted to attend Drury College (Drury University) instead. Breech dropped out of college, later taking correspondence courses before taking his Certified Public Accountant examination
Breech worked for the Checker Cab Company, General Motors, and Bendix Aviation before being persuaded by Henry Ford II to come aboard at Ford.
At Ford, before the so-called "Whiz Kids" came on the scene, it was Breech who cleared the ground for expansion by trimming away Ford"s corporate fat. Breech was the first of a long line of talented and successful number two men who were later dismissed or resigned under the erratic leadership of Henry Ford World War II He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1979.
The Breech School of Business at Drury University is named in his honor due to his donation. Breech was a 33rd degree Freemason.
His induction to that degree was highlighted in the October 8, 1956 issue of Life magazine.