Jay-Bennett
Logan (Jay) Johnson Bennett, Jr. '57
Outstanding Achievement in a Chosen Profession

After his graduation from MASH, Jay went off to Central Methodist University in Fayette, MO graduating with a BA, Major in Biology and Minor in Chemistry. He then went on to graduate school at the University of Missouri, studying wildlife management. After grad school, literally within months, he received his draft notice and eventually joined the US Air Force and was commissioned. He had no intention of making this a career, but he decided to stay in the Air Force for 23 great years, retiring with the rank of Colonel.

While in the Air Force, Jay held many positions including Avionics Inspector, 81st Avionics Maintenance Squadron Commander, Special Assistant to the Director of Logistics, Manager of Palace Logistics Maintenance Team, 51st Aircraft Generation Squadron Commander, Deputy Commander for Maintenance 62nd, Chief of the Aircraft Branch of the US Air Force at the Pentagon and finally the Director of the Aircraft Division, Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill AFB in Utah. He also received his MBA, Business Management from the University of Arkansas in 1972 and in 1987 received a Distinguished Graduate Award from Central Methodist University.

Following his retirement from the service, Jay was given a fantastic opportunity with the Boeing Commercial Airplane Company in Seattle, Washington. He worked at Boeing from August 1986 until May of 1999. His first job was managing the design and construction of a classified vehicle. After a promotion he worked on the overhaul of the U.S. Air Force KC-135 aircraft and then became a Corporate Auditor and worked on the factory rework study of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Several promotions followed, including Manager of the Program Management Office for the 777 Division and Senior Manager of Flight Test Quality Assurance, which involved certification of the 777 airplane and planning for the certification of the Next Generation 737. He then was promoted to Senior Quality Factory Manager, 737/757 Programs which included final assembly, preflight and the commercial delivery center for all 737 and 757 airplanes. He finished working at Boeing as Senior Production Manager, Field Operations 737/757 Factory Manager for Quality Assurance. When he retired on May 1, 1999 they were rolling out a 737 every 16 hours. Jay worked as a consultant with the RAND Corporation from October 2001 until June 2003.

During his years in Seattle, Jay and his wife Julie became very interested in central Oregon, specifically Bend, buying a condo and eventually building a home. Bend provides Jay and Julie with a myriad of fantastic opportunities such as fly fishing, golfing, skiing, volunteer work and 300 days of sun a year. Jay serves as a guest lecturer at the Cascade Campus of Oregon State University. He has two children, Chris and Matt, who are both married and live in the Seattle area.