John W. Kraus is a renowned aerospace engineering company executive, who amassed more than 50 years of experience in the field prior to his retirement in 1993. Most recently serving as a senior manager of McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. in Huntington Beach, California, between 1983 and 1993, he formerly served the aerospace company as branch chief between 1966 and 1974. Punctuating these appointments, he was also the president of Kraus and DuVall, Inc., in Santa Ana, California, from 1975 to 1983. Earlier in his career, he served Atomics International in Chatsworth, California, as a special assistant from 1961 to 1965, and TRW, Inc., in Cleveland as an industrial engineer and industrial engineer manager between 1941 and 1961.
Supported by a bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration, Mr. Kraus has continued to serve as secretary of the Class of 1941 of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology since 2008. He is a former lecturer at the Northrop Institute of Technology and past consultant at Technology Associates of Southern California. To remain abreast of developments in the field, he has maintained affiliation with the American Defense Preparedness Association, now known as the National Defense Industries Association, in numerous capacities including as chairman of the Technical Division and life member.
Among the notable highlights of his career, Mr. Kraus is proudest of helping Rocketdyne’s North American Aviation Division solve a problem that caused fuel pumps and engines to fail during liftoff. Accomplishing this task during his tenure with TRW, he is also proud of his involvement with Friends of Oasis, where he has served as chairman of their Heritage Society, on their legacy committee, as chairman of their website committee, as secretary of the Atria Senior Plaza, as director, on their new building committee, as treasurer and as chairman of their bylaws committee. Furthermore, he enjoys his membership with the Oasis Sailing Club, where he began volunteering in 1996 and has since served as a staff commodore and director.
Married with two children, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Mr. Kraus is a New York native and currently resides in Newport Beach, California. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and sailing.
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