Thornton, Charles B.

Thornton, Charles B. (Bates) (“Tex”)

(1913–81) conglomerate organizer; born in Haskell, Texas. After developing the armed forces' first statistical management control system during World War II, he led the "Whiz Kids" team that modernized Ford's management (1946–49) and restructured Hughes Aircraft's management (1949–53) before cofounding the electronics company (1953) that became Litton Industries. Through dozens of mergers, Litton became one of the country's first conglomerates. Thornton was president until 1961, then chairman and CEO.