Lynn A. Townsend

Lynn A. Townsend
Born
Lynn Alfred Townsend

(1919-05-12)May 12, 1919
Flint, Michigan, U.S.
DiedAugust 17, 2000(2000-08-17) (aged 81)
Farmington Hills, Michigan, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupation
Years active1941–1975
Spouse
  • Ruth M. Laing
    ​
    (m. 1940)​
Children3

Lynn Alfred Townsend (May 12, 1919 – August 17, 2000) was an American automobile executive who was president, chairman, and chief executive of the Chrysler Corporation.

Early life

Towsend was born to Lynn A. and Georgia E. (Crandall) Townsend on May 12, 1919, in Flint, Michigan.[1] The family moved to Beverly Hills, California was Lynn in hopes that the climate would improve his mother's asthma. Georgia Townsend died in 1929 and Lynn Sr. died five years later. Townsend moved to Evansville, Indiana to live with an uncle, North I. Townsend, who was a comptroller.[2] Townsend graduated from high school two years ahead of his class and worked as a teller at the National City Bank for a year after graduating to pay for college.[3] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 1940 and a master's in business administration from the same school the following year.[2] On September 14, 1940, Townsend married Ruth M. Laing. They had three sons.[1]

Career

While in college, Townsend worked part time for the accounting firm Briggs & Icerman.[1] From 1941 to 1944, Townsend worked for the accounting firm of Ernst & Ernst. He then served in the United States Navy, where he was the disbursing officer on the USS Hornet. Townsend returned to Ernst & Ernst in 1946, but left after a year to join George Bailey & Company (later known as Touche, Niven, Bailey & Smart and since merged into Deloitte), as a supervising accountant.[2] In 1948, he began working on Chrysler's account.[3] He also did accounting for the American Motors Corporation. In 1952, he became a partner of the firm.[2]

In 1957, Townsend joined Chrysler as comptroller. In 1959, he became group vice president of international relations and joined the company's board of directors. In 1960, Townsend was promoted to vice president of administration – the number two position in the company.[4] On July 27, 1961, Chrysler chairman and president Lester Lum Colbert resigned amid a conflict of interest scandal. He was succeeded as chairman by George H. Love and as president by Townsend.[5] Love, who worked part-time due to his duties with Consolidation Coal, was the company's chief policy officer and Townsend served as the company's chief administrative officer.[6][7]

Under Townsend's leadership, Chrysler decreased expenses, overhauled its dealer system, and made improvements to its vehicles.[8] Its U.S. market share grew from 7.3% in 1962 to 16.7% in 1966. Love stepped down as chairman in 1966 and Townsend succeeded him while remaining the company's chief executive. Virgil Boyd, Chrysler's group vice president, was promoted to president.[9]

The bankruptcy of Penn Central in 1970 led to a run on Chrysler Financial's commercial paper. The company was bailed out by Manufacturers Hanover Corporation, who arranged for $410 million in loan credits.[10] However, the 1973 oil crisis and 1973–1975 recession caused car sales to plummet, which compounded Chrysler's financial woes.[8] In the fourth quarter of 1974, Chrysler Corporation posted a record loss of $170 million and Moody's Investors Service had removed its rating from Chrysler Financial's commercial paper.[10] On July 4, 1975, Townsend announced he would retire on October 1, 1975.[11]

Death

Townsend died on August 17, 2000, in Farmington Hills, Michigan.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c Who's who in Commerce and Industry. Marquis-Who's Who. 1965. p. 1326. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Hyde, Charles K. (2003). Riding the Roller: Coaster A History of the Chrysler Corporation. Wayne State University Press. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-8143-3781-3. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Chrysler's Chief New to Top Team". The New York Times. July 28, 1961.
  4. ^ "Chrysler Puts Townsend In No. 2 Post, May Slate Him for Presidency". The Wall Street Journal. December 5, 1960.
  5. ^ "Colbert Resigns Chrysler Posts". The New York Times. July 28, 1961.
  6. ^ Ingraham, Joseph C. (September 22, 1961). "G.H. Love Is Named Chairman And Chief of Policy at Chrysler". The New York Times.
  7. ^ Livingston, J.A. (October 22, 1961). "Townsend, Energetic Six-Footer, Steers Chrysler's Comeback". The Boston Globe.
  8. ^ a b c Petersen, Melody (August 22, 2000). "Lynn Townsend, Ex-Chrysler Chief, Dies at 81". The New York Times.
  9. ^ "Chrysler Seen Naming Townsend Chairman Tomorrow; Boyd Given Edge for Presidency". The Wall Street Journal. November 30, 1966.
  10. ^ a b Bender, Marylin (April 27, 1975). "Chrysler: A Stripped-Down Corporation". The New York Times.
  11. ^ Salpukas, Agis (July 5, 1975). "Townsend Decision to Quit Chrysler Believed His Own". The New York Times.
Business positions
Preceded by President of the Chrysler Corporation
January 27, 1961–December 1, 1966 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of the Chrysler Corporation
December 1, 1966–October 1, 1975 		Succeeded by