Walter Hewlett

Walter Hewlett. An American computer scientist, businessman, and philanthropist, he is a son of Hewlett-Packard co-founder William Hewlett and served for many years on the company's board of directors. He is widely known for his vocal and litigious opposition to the controversial HP-Compaq merger in the early 2000s. Beyond corporate governance, his legacy is deeply tied to his leadership of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the United States.

Early life and education

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he is the eldest son of William Hewlett and Flora Hewlett. He grew up immersed in the culture of Silicon Valley during the formative years of Hewlett-Packard. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where he earned a degree in English literature. He later returned to academia to study music theory and acoustics, ultimately receiving a master's degree in operations research and a PhD in engineering from Stanford University, reflecting a blend of technical and liberal arts education.

Career at Hewlett-Packard

Following his education, he joined the engineering staff at Hewlett-Packard in the 1970s, contributing to projects in the company's famed HP Labs. He was elected to the HP board of directors in 1987, representing the Hewlett family's significant ownership stake. During his tenure, he served on several key board committees, including the finance and investment committee, overseeing the company's strategy during the tenure of CEOs like John A. Young and Lew Platt. His board role positioned him as a steward of the HP Way, the company's renowned corporate culture.

HP-Compaq merger opposition

His most public role came in 2001 when he led a fierce campaign against the proposed HP-Compaq merger, a plan championed by then-CEO Carly Fiorina. Arguing the merger was a costly and risky distraction that deviated from Hewlett-Packard's core strengths, he filed a proxy fight to rally shareholder opposition. After a narrow shareholder vote approved the deal, he filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery, alleging HP management had improperly influenced a key investor, Deutsche Bank. Although the court ruled in favor of HP, the very public battle highlighted major corporate governance issues and led to his departure from the HP board of directors in 2002.

Philanthropy and civic engagement

His primary legacy lies in philanthropy, particularly through the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, established by his parents. He has served as chairman of the foundation's board, guiding its grantmaking in areas such as education, environmental conservation, and the performing arts. Under his leadership, the foundation has been a major funder of initiatives like the Open Educational Resources movement and climate change work through organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund. He also served as a board member for the Packard Humanities Institute and has supported institutions like the San Francisco Symphony and Stanford University.

Personal life

A dedicated musician, he has served as the board chairman of the San Francisco Symphony and is an accomplished folk dancer. He maintains a relatively private life, residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. His family's legacy continues through the philanthropic work of the Hewlett Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, established by his aunt and uncle, David Packard. He is married and has children.

Category:American businesspeople Category:American philanthropists Category:Hewlett-Packard people