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| LOUIS T. BENEZET AWARD RECIPIENT
1991 |
James W. Austin '29
James Austin is a leader for the Twentieth Century. Leaving Colorado College
at the beginning of the Great Depression, Jim began making his way in business
first with Humble Oil, then as an investment banker. When duty called in
1941, Colonel Austin found himself "flying the hump" as he served
in India and China as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Air Corps Air Transport
Command. After the war, he became a part of the new and growing airline
business with Capital Airlines, where he instituted the nation's first air
coach service. By 1958 Jim Austin had become president of Capital.
Northeast Airlines was next to benefit from Jim's leadership skills as he
negotiated important routes for the airline. Jim Austin served Northeast
as president and chairman of the board, and continued to consult in succeeding
years following his retirement. Jim Austin is generally recognized as the
main impetus behind the growth of Northeast Airlines.
In 1972 Jim became vice president of Hughes Hotel Properties where he continued
to earn a reputation as an outstanding manager.
By 1978, when most people would have retired, Jim Austin continued to serve
as consultant and director to the airline/travel industry with both Hughes
Airwest and Summa Corporation.
Jim Austin has never lost his interest in education. He was elected an Alumni
Trustee of Colorado College in 1957. He also served as a member of the Board
of Trustees of New England College in New Hampshire which recognized his
contribution to business and the country with an honorary degree in 1966.
The world has seen remarkable changes since 1929 when Jim Austin graduated--and
some of those are because of Jim, a leader in the finest sense.
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