Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century
Ralph Budd
Great Northern Railroad
1919–1932
1919–1932
Great Northern Railroad
1919–1932
1919–1932
- Industry: Transportation
- Era: 1910
In 1919, when Budd took over the helm at Great Northern, he was the youngest railway president in the country. Budd pioneered new projects including the 1926-1928 Cascade Mountains tunnel project, which cost $25 million and eliminated the need for six shorter tunnels. Budd led the expansion of the Great Northern system from Klamath Falls, Oregon, to California, establishing a new all-rail route from the Pacific Northwest to San Francisco.
Personal
- Born-Died: 1879–1962
- Birthplace: Iowa
- Race: White
- Gender: Male
- Father: Farmer / Rancher
Education / Military
- Undergraduate: Highland Park College