Blount, Winton M. (Winton Malcolm), 1921-2002

Variant names

Dates:

Birth 1921-02-01

Death 2002-10-24

Birth 1921-02-01

Death 2002-10-24

Gender:

Male

Nationality: Americans,

Language: English

Biographical notes:

Winton Malcolm Blount Jr., known as Red Blount (February 1, 1921 – October 24, 2002), was the United States Postmaster General from January 22, 1969, to January 1, 1972. He was the last Postmaster General when the position was within the presidential Cabinet, overseeing the service turn from a government department to a private corporation.

Educated in the Union Springs public schools, Blount later attended Staunton Military Academy, Staunton, Virginia, and the University of Alabama, 1939-1941. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a B-29 pilot, 1942-1945. After his release from service, he founded Blount Brothers Corporation in 1946, serving as President and Chairman of the Board until December 1968.

In 1972, Blount ran unsuccessfully for the office of U.S. Senator from Alabama. Since 1973, he was involved with Blount, Inc., an international manufacturing and construction company headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. Since 1974, he served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (President, 1974 to 1979). He was also the director of Union Camp Corporation, beginning in 1973, a trustee and chairman of the Rhodes College Board, and a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama.