Theodore Colbert III's Biography
Early Career and Education
Theodore Colbert III was born in 1973 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a three-sport athlete in high school and initially aspired to become a lawyer or politician. However, his interest in technology, spurred by his childhood experience with a Commodore 64, and encouragement from his high school teachers led him to pursue engineering. Colbert's parents played significant roles in their respective fields, with his father working in labor relations and his mother as a social worker1.
Colbert attended Morehouse College, where he was influenced by the 1980s sitcom "A Different World" to pursue his undergraduate degree at a historically black college. He enrolled in a dual degree engineering program offered by Morehouse in conjunction with Georgia Tech, graduating in 1996 with Bachelor of Science degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering and General Science1 2.
Start in the Aerospace Industry
After completing his education, Colbert began his career at Ford Motor Company, where he joined the Ford College Graduate Program in the Information Technology department. He spent over a decade at Ford, holding various positions and contributing significantly to the company's IT and engineering initiatives. Following his tenure at Ford, Colbert moved to Citigroup, where he served as the senior vice president of Enterprise Architecture, focusing on strategy and architecture for key global and cross-business opportunities1 2.
Boeing Career and Achievements
In 2009, Colbert joined Boeing, marking the start of his illustrious career in the aerospace industry. He initially led the Information Technology Infrastructure organization, developing network, computing, server, storage, collaboration, and infrastructure solutions for Boeing. His roles at Boeing have included Vice President of IT Business Systems, Chief Information Officer (CIO), and President and CEO of Boeing Global Services. In April 2022, Colbert became the President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, where he is responsible for leading Boeing's efforts in defense, government, space, intelligence, and security customers worldwide1 3 4.
Throughout his career at Boeing, Colbert has been recognized for his leadership and contributions to the field of engineering and technology. He has received numerous awards, including the Black Engineer of the Year Award in 2022. Colbert is also a member of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Users’ Advisory Group, highlighting his influence and contributions beyond Boeing1 5.
Volunteering and Community Involvement
His involvement in organizations such as the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund board of directors indicates his dedication to supporting education and leadership development6.
Theodore Colbert III's journey from a technology-enthusiast youth to a leading figure in the aerospace industry exemplifies a career built on passion, innovation, and leadership. His contributions to Boeing and the broader engineering community continue to impact the fields of defense, space, and security on a global scale.