A retired Canadian aerospace executive and philanthropist, Louis Chênevert most recently served as chairman and CEO of United Technologies Corporation (UTC). He became COO and director of the corporation in 2006, prior to which he was president of Pratt & Whitney, then a business unit of UTC.
Mr. Chênevert’s achievements at UTC include streamlining and reorganizing the diversified manufacturer’s many business units into two divisions: aerospace and building systems. He led development of the Geared Turbofan engine, which brought improvements in fuel burn, noise reduction, and lower costs to the aviation industry. He also facilitated the purchase of aircraft landing gear manufacturer Goodrich Corp. for $18.4 billion, at the time the largest acquisition in aerospace industry history. These and other achievements enabled UTC to deliver nearly 12% in average annual returns during Mr. Chênevert’s tenure as CEO from 2008-14.
Among Mr. Chênevert’s many honors and awards, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics made him a fellow in 2005. He also received the Honor Award from the National Building Museum in 2009 and was named Person of the Year by Aviation Week & Space Technology in 2011.
A survivor of stage IV brain cancer, Louis Chênevert is passionate about supporting neuro-oncology research and treatments for other patients. He has been a member of the Yale Cancer Center Advisory Board since 1999 and has served as its chair since 2013. Through the Chênevert Family Foundation, which he launched with his wife, Debbie, in 2009, he donated $4.3 million to the Yale Cancer Center in 2020 for the establishment of the Chênevert Family Brain Tumor Center.
Mr. Chênevert is a prominent supporter of his alma mater, HEC Montréal, the graduate business school of the Université de Montréal. He is a founding director and chairman of Friends of HEC Montréal, which brings together US-based alumni to galvanize philanthropic support for the university. Mr. Chênevert is also chairman of the school's International Advisory Board. He earned a bachelor of commerce in production management and an honorary doctorate from HEC, as well as an honorary doctorate from Concordia University.
