707 Biography
Jack Gucker | Mark Gucker
Jack Gucker, who started work at Boeing in 1960, passed on his love of airplanes to his son, Mark Gucker, who began working for the company in 1986.
Jack came to work for the company just as staffing for the new 727 program began. New employees were being given assignments on the 707 program until the 727 was ready for them. He reported to work in Renton, Wash., on Aug. 24, 1960.
Forty years later, Jack retired after a career of leadership and service. His last assignment as a Boeing employee was to lead the teams that developed the 737 Next Generation and the 757-300 airplanes. Jack continues to share his expertise with Boeing, serving as a consultant on new airplane programs, including the 787.
"As a kid, I always wanted to work for Boeing," he said. "It just worked out."
It worked out for his son, Mark, too. Mark has worked several new and derivative airplane programs. He looks back at the first flight of the 777 as a career highlight. "Seeing the systems I was responsible for first fly on the 777 -- and knowing that the 777 would fly for a long time to come -- was incredible," Mark said.
He currently is managing the Technology Portfolio and Configuration Group on the 787 Systems team. When asked what he most anticipates about the 787, Mark said, "I am really looking forward to the day when I can go to the airport and watch people smile as they step on board our 787 Dreamliner."