Alexander, J. B. (Jesse Bennett), 1895-1976

Born in Dallas, Texas in 1897, Jesse Bennett (J. B.) Alexander was an aviation executive who taught Howard Hughes to fly in 1927 and served as Chief of Aeronautics for Hughes' film Hell's Angels between 1927 and 1930. Alexander later founded the Harlow Aircraft Manufacturing Company, worked as a regional manager for the young American Airways, and patented designs for imporvements in aviation control technology. He died in 1976.

Source:

Gary W. Hyatt. "J. B. Alexander". Davis-Monthan Field Register. Accessed December 15, 2021. https://dmairfield.org/people/alexander_jb/