At age nine, Drayton went to work for his father's business. Mr. McLane is the Chairman of the McLane Group, overseeing a number of companies, and he also serves upon the boards of a number of other organizations. [10][11] The 1995 team had a payroll of $32 million and finished one game off making the National League Wild Card. Lets Examine. He is perhaps best known as the former owner of the Houston Astros, and for his company's long involvement with Walmart. Shortly after 1991, he founded McLane Company, a holding company with a wide array of investments, including a stake in the Houston Astros. [26][27][28] Norm Miller, a player-turned-front office man, recounted how McLane approached him about signing a document about pledging to perform with the highest of Christian principles (Miller left a year later). Drayton McLane Jr. (born July 22, 1936) is an American billionaire businessman. Drayton McLane IIIgraduated from Baylor University in 1996 with a BBA in Marketing. His motto is Keep on charging!. He leaves the best seat in the house to wander Minute Maid's concourses. The Associated Press contributed to this report. [4][5], In his first season as owner in 1993, the Astros went 85-77, with the free-agent acquisitions of Doug Drabek and Greg Swindell (each signed to four-year deals) doing minimal contributions. So, we'll let the market determine the price. Greenberg said the Rangers sale will have little bearing on the price tag for the Astros. McLane painted a positive outlook for the future, though, starting with the team's young nucleus of talent. [6][7] McLane and Tal Smith searched for a GM and came up with Gerry Hunsicker, hired in November 1995. [15][16] The team won their first postseason series in the 2004 National League Division Series and fell one game short of the World Series. During that time, the company experienced an average yearly sales growth of 30percent. Drayton McLane Jr. Wireless internet in the building and two internet jacks per room. A prediction odds makers made months ago. "In 16 years, I never saw anything and I was in the locker room before every home game. Is that enough for you? Additionally, Denton worked for the international businesses of the McLane family in Portugal and Poland. He earned his undergraduate degree at Baylor University in 1958 and his master of business administration degree in marketing at Michigan State University in 1959. Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane is putting his franchise up for sale. McLane mixes with fans every night. The franchise, which will play its 50th season in 2011, has reached unprecedented success with McLane as the owner, making the playoffs six times in the last 14 years. His past civic duties include: chairman of Board of Trustees, Baylor Scott and White Healthcare; chairman Scott and White Healthcare Board of Trustees; VP of Executive BoardBoy Scouts of America; chairmanUnited Way of the Texas Gulf Coast's Pacesetter Campaign; memberChildren's Miracle Network National Board of Governors; Chairman of the BoardChildren's Miracle Network; MemberTexas State Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation; chairman of Board of TrusteesBaylor University; chairman of Board of RegentsBaylor University; member of the Greater Houston Partnership; chairman of Temple (Texas) Chamber of Commerce; and trusteeSouth Texas College of Law. Drayton McLane Jr. was one of the first to develop and use emerging technology to streamline large scale supply chain operations. It's his team, his money, and you can watch him spend it happily or not from his seat right behind the plate. McLane puts aside a large amount of time to serve on civic and charitable committees. He worked in professional sports for the Nashville Predators and the Houston Astros. Drayton is the former owner of the Houston Astros. It wasnt surprising the two acclaimed businessmen became personal friends through the years. Biography All Rights Reserved. Read more McLane Group's headquarters is located in Central Texas, outside of Temple, at The Lakes at Central Pointe. He worked his way up and by earning the respect and admiration of his co-workers, he became president and CEO of the company in 1964 and held these positions for thirty years. He develops a highly engaged workplace, encouraging all team members to contribute to process development, innovation, quality assurance, cost savings, and team building. As a result of donations to both of his alma maters, Michigan State University and Baylor University have stadiums named after him. He also serves on several boards, including Baylor Scott & White Healthcare, the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, Baylor College of Medicine, M.D. "We had gone along for 18 years, and how our family needs to look at it, we just need to do stronger strategic financial planning for the future.". Or, you may be aware of his prior ownership of the Houston Astros where he led the franchises rejuvenation and growth in the 90s and 2000s. Houston Astos owner Drayton McLane, Jr., leaves the Bob Casey Federal Courthouse in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday, May 2, 2006. This grew into a strong business and personal relationship between Drayton McLane Jr. and Sam Walton. Contact. All Rights Reserved. The facility houses administrative offices overseeing each of the companies that make up the McLane Group family, and the Class A office space also provides home to a few other companies. He began developing his tireless work ethic at age nine by working for his father at the familys wholesale grocery business, the McLane Company. Sports in Action, manages and operates three major Texas sports properties. Steve Greenberg, son of Hall of Fame slugger Hank Greenberg, is the firm's managing director. The Materials are for informational purposes only, and the statements, views and opinions expressed at any presentation or in any Materials are those solely of the presenter and not of Faith Driven Movements. He is responsible for creating and implementing company strategy and overseeing the executive management team. They were unable to bring home a championship, but they were the first Texas team to make it to . KRIV-TV first reported McLane's agreement with the investment firm. Anderson University Cancer Foundation, Heart of Texas Defense Alliance, Advisory Board for the Bush School of Government and Public Service, and a Director of Happy State Bank. Drayton McLane's house (Bing Maps). Prior to joining the McLane Global, Denton worked in several industries. However, Crane backed out at the last minute before a handshake deal could be done. Past ventures range from international distribution to food importing and production. Drayton Jr. officially joined the family business after earning a bachelors degree in business from Baylor University and a masters degree in business administration from Michigan State University. MCLANE CLASSIC FOODS. It was the last postseason run for the Astros, who fell into a decade-long drought that saw just two winning seasons from 2006 to 2014, owing to an aging team that lacked a suitable farm system, as done due to McLane and others pushing for goals of a World Series with a favor for free agents that left the team cratering after 2008. Owner: 'Time is right' to put Astros up for sale, Top draft prospect Carter charged in fatal crash, Judge OK's some Flores claims vs. NFL for court, More PGA Tour changes: No cuts, smaller fields, No. Drayton McLane, the owner of the Astros back then, told Oswalt before the game that if he won the game, McLane would get Oswalt the gift he always wanted - a bulldozer. Drayton McLane Jr. is pleased to assist the community by serving on Governor Abbotts Strike Force to Open Texas! Drayton joined McLane Group in 2006, and serves as managing director of McLane Classic Foods and Chairman of Sports in Action (which manages the Dave Campbell's Texas Football brand). Contact. He says he sits there because he is the one responsible for the team. "I talk to the fans and ask them what would you do if you owned the team? McLane is optimistic Houston fans will embrace the new team. McLane says he is as optimistic on this opening day as he has been every opening day for the past 15 years, although this is a different year for him. Partner In the religious community of Temple, Texas, he has served as the chairman of the Deacon Board of First Baptist Church.[3]. While McLane and Greenberg answered questions, work crews installed a new scoreboard at Minute Maid Park, the Astros' home since the 2000 season. "The market will really determine what it is," Greenberg said. After playing key roles in each of these companies growth and productivity, he resigned in order to devote more time to the McLane Group, a parent company consisting of family owned companies operating throughout the world, which until November of 2011 included the Houston Astros where he served as Chairman and CEO. When Roberts son, Drayton Sr., graduated from college in 1922, he joined the growing family business where he worked for over 60 years. Through the years he had many offers to buy the company and never seriously considered any of the proposals. His father, Drayton McLane Sr., owned a wholesale grocery distribution center that had been established by his grandfather, Robert McLane, in 1894. He then served 14 years as general manager of operations. During his tenure, he propelled the McLane Company into a $19 billion dollar company, achieving an average growth rate of 30 percent per year. During his teenage years, he worked in many other areas of the business. However, the Astros, who had rallied from a losing record earlier in the season, were swept by the Chicago White Sox in four games, granting the White Sox their first championship in 88 years. Faith Driven Entrepreneur is an educational website hosted by Faith Driven Movements (501c6) and FDM Foundation (501c3) nonprofit corporations whose mission is to inspire, educate, and mobilize people to use their time, talents and other resources in the marketplace. In the early years, Drayton Jr. assisted his father in building a strong grocery distribution network that served convenience stores, supermarkets, fast food stores, and family owned business around Texas. On September 12, 2008, the MSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the naming of Drayton McLane Baseball Stadium at John H. Kobs Field. Reportedly, he resigned due to being tired of McLane's influences on team management, where at one point McLane was believed to be jealous of Hunsicker getting credit for the success of the team, and Hunsicker even interviewed for the New York Mets job in 2003. Las Vegas says the team is going to win 72 or 73 games this year. John graduated from BowlingGreen State University with aBachelor of Science, Business Administration (BSBA). "I bet $96 million they're wrong!". The 1997 team, built on a payroll of $33 million that ranked 19th in the majors, finally broke through. During his tenure, he moved the company from Cameron to Temple, Texas to take advantage of the central location for distribution. He remained with the companies, serving in executive positions until 1993. "When we had the opening of spring training, we had to have the players introduce themselves," McLane said. The phone number and address on this site connect with Mr. McLanes business offices. Bachelor of Arts/Science, Baylor University; Master of Business Administration, Broad College of Business. He was, until 1990, the CEO of the McLane Company, a grocery and food service warehouse, supply, and logistics firm, and was, from 1993 until 2011, the chairman and CEO of Major League Baseball's Houston Astros. Right behind home plate for the start of virtually every Astros . And if you were signing the huge checks you might sit there too. The website of Drayton McLane Jr. is a resource for finding official information about McLanes life, philosophy, companies, past projects, and future ventures. Can the Lions fix their defense? McLane Company needed innovative ideas in order to remain competitive when Drayton joined the ranks in 1959. "I talked to Craig today. Temple, TX 76504, About "It's time to change and move forward," McLane said. The Astros finished the 2011 season with 106 losses under McLane in his final season as owner, the first occasion the team had lost 100 games in franchise history. Under his leadership, the grocery distribution center grew into an international firm. All furnishings are moveable, and the beds can be bunked. In April 2020, Governor Greg Abbott named McLane to the Strike Force to Open Texas a group "tasked with finding safe and effective ways to slowly reopen the state" amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He then worked at Lone Star Plastics until 2006. "Baseball is in great shape, and the Astros are a great franchise. With all the heartache and hard times that come with owning the Houston Astros, Drayton McLane also gets the best seat in the house. Shortly after the Walmart merger, Drayton Jr. founded McLane Group, a holding company for his various business ventures. After graduation, McLane returned home to work for his father. He serves on several boards: United Way of Central Texas, Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Board, University of Mary Hardin Baylor Board of Regents, Robbins College-Baylor University, and Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees. Currently, they are active members of First Baptist Belton. But be prepared, McLane is ready to look to this season and his new team. Under his leadership, the Astros won five division titles, built a new stadium, and played in the teams first World Series. So I asked. The visit started with the usual tour of the local Walmart, but then the unexpected happened. This year 50% of the Astros roster is brand new. During those years, McLane served as president of the Texas Wholesale Grocers Association (19701971) and chairman of the National American Wholesale Grocers Association (19861988).[3]. Drayton McLane Jr. is a dynamic business leader and philanthropist. The talk is frequently about games lost or trades not made. Approximate room dimensions are 15' x 14' (210 sq. As a non-profit ministry we are generously supported by the donations of a few leaders to advance the movement. Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio are still at the park, but made of bronze and playing outside. This website comprises the official voice of Drayton McLane Jr. online, allowing him to communicate directly with the public about topics important to him, and to comment on anything involving his interests. In 1991, McLane and shareholders sold the company to Sam Walton for 10.4 million shares of Walmart stock and $50 million in cash. Contact. All rights reserved. 4001 Central Pointe Parkway The 74-year-old McLane said he's retained the New York investment firm Allen and Company to help him unload the team he purchased in November 1992 for about $117 million. Having created, grown and sold businesses for decades, Drayton has a unique perspective on business and industry, especially in Texas. Right behind home plate for the start of virtually every Astros home game. She has 25 years of experience in the accounting field. He is a major benefactor of both Baylor University, where the McLane Student Life Center, the acclaimed McLane carillons, and McLane Stadium are named in his honor, and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) in Belton, Texas, where McLane Hall honors him. In 2003, Walmart sold the company to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway for $1.45 billion. 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