Carlson, Edward E. (Edward Elmer), 1911-

Edward E. Carlson (1911-1990), businessman and first President and Chairman of the Board of the Century 21 Exposition, Seattle's World Fair. Carlson was born in Tacoma in 1911. He managed the Rainier Club in Seattle from 1937 to 1942. He held various positions with Western Hotels (later Western International Hotels and as Westin Hotels) from 1945 to 1970, including President and Chairman of the Board. After Western International Hotels merged with UAL, Inc., the hotel and airline holding company, Carlso served that company and United Airlines in various roles from 1970 to 1983, including President, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer. Carlson served as the first President and Chairman of the Board of the Century 21 Exposition. He was also involved with the Pacific Science Center Foundation through 1969. Carlson also served as chairman of the Seattle Oceanography Study Group, 1965-1966; officer of Northwest Sports and Community Service foundation (Seattle Pilots baseball team), 1970. He was elected president of the University of Washington Board of Regents, 1986-1987. He died in Seattle in 1990.

Epithet: Swedish Envoy to Turkey

Edward A. Carlson was an enlisted man in United States (U.S.) Army Air Forces who attended the Army Air Forces Technical School in Chicago, Illinois, before being transferred to Florida for additional training. Carlson served overseas in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II (WWII).