Frank William Gay

Who was Frank William Gay?

Frank William "Bill" Gay was an American executive who oversaw several entities for Howard Hughes. He was chairman of the board of directors of the Hughes Air Corporation. He served as a senior vice president and member of the board of directors for the Hughes Tool Company. He was also president and chief executive officer of Summa Corporation.

After Howard Hughes's death, he was sued for $50 million by the Summa Corporation for conspiracy. He settled out of court.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was a student at University of California, Los Angeles when he was hired by Hughes. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gay put together the so-called "Mormon Mafia" that comprised Hughes's inner circle in his later life. Appointed by the Delaware Court of Chancery, Gay served as trustee of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute from 1984 until his retirement in 2006. He had previously served on the Institute's executive committee from 1971-1984.

He was an active supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.

His son is Robert C. Gay, a co-founder and CEO of Huntsman Gay Global Capital, and before that managing director of Bain Capital for sixteen years.