Ronald Woodard
Board Member

Ron was born and raised in Oregon. In 1961 he left Oregon to attend the University of Puget Sound where he received a BS in Chemistry and a BA in Political Science to be followed by an MS in Systems Management at USC. In 1966, Ron started 34 years at The Boeing Company where his career lead from Jr. Engineer through Program Management, Procurement, Sales, General Management and ultimately President of The Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. Following his Boeing career Ron was a co-founder of MagnaDrive Corporation. He also served on the boards of AAR Corporation, Atlas Air, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, Continental Airlines andWhittaker Corporation.

Ron’s interest in music started with the cornet which he played from grade school,
through high school and university in both band and orchestra. The highlight of
Ron’s music life was his 16 years on the board of the Seattle Symphony. He was
board chair 11 years during design, fund raising and construction of Seattle’s Benaroya Hall. He is now an Emeritus Director.

Ron has shared a wonderful marriage with Carolyn Ibbotson since 1965. Carolyn and Ron have lived in Tacoma, Edgewood, Melbourne (Australia), Toronto (Canada), Seattle, Shaw Island and San Miguel de Allende (Mexico). In 2023, They moved to Bellingham after a 10 year residence in Mexico. In 2004, Ron and Carolyn became the permanent guardians/adoptive parents of 6 grandchildren whom they have raised and the youngest of whom is a freshman at U of Colorado Boulder. Ron joined the board of BFM in 2023.

Carolyn and Ron have been active tennis players, skiers and travelers; they enjoy their second home on Quadra Island, BC and boating on their boat Pazzaz. They belong to Bellingham’s Sail and Power Squadron.