Clemmie Spangler
Clemmie Dixon Spangler Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | July 22, 2018 (aged 86) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, university president |
| Known for | Proprietor of National Gypsum; President of the University of North Carolina (1986–1997) |
Clemmie Dixon Spangler Jr. (April 5, 1932 – July 22, 2018) was a prominent American billionaire entrepreneur and proprietor of National Gypsum. In the Forbes 2016 ranking of global billionaires, he was positioned at #722 with an estimated net worth of US$2.4 billion. From 1986 until 1997, he held the office of president at the University of North Carolina.
Early life
Spangler was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1932. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and later obtained an MBA from Harvard University. His father, Clemmie Dixon Spangler Sr., established C. D. Spangler Construction Company in 1947.
Career
Beginning his professional journey in 1958, Spangler became part of his father’s construction firm, eventually serving as its president for nearly three decades. He subsequently took leadership of the Bank of North Carolina and orchestrated its merger with NCNB in 1982; this institution has since evolved into part of Bank of America.
In addition to his business pursuits, Spangler contributed to public education governance by serving on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education during the 1970s and leading the North Carolina State Board of Education as chairman from 1982 to 1986. During his presidency of the University of North Carolina system (1986–1997), he championed affordable tuition policies and chose to donate his compensation back to UNC campuses.
In 1995, through Delcor Inc., a private investment firm under his control, Spangler purchased National Gypsum for $1.2 billion. Having been chairman and a minority shareholder holding a 20% stake previously, his family ultimately gained complete ownership of the company.
Philanthropy
Between 2003 and 2004, Spangler served as President of Harvard University's Board of Overseers. The Spangler Center at Harvard Business School bears his name in recognition. Through the C.D. Spangler Foundation, he provided financial support to institutions including the University of North Carolina, Harvard University, and Teach for America in Charlotte.
Personal life
Spangler was married to Meredith Riggs Spangler, an alumna of Wellesley College's class of 1955. They had two daughters: Anna Spangler Nelson and Abigail Riggs Spangler. Anna is a member of the UNC Board of Governors and is married to Thomas C. Nelson, a Harvard Business School graduate from 1988 who has served as chairman and CEO of National Gypsum since 1999. Abigail is married to attorney Jeffrey Donald Nuechterlein and holds degrees from both Wellesley College and Columbia University.
The UNC System offices are located within the C.D. Spangler Jr. Building and the Meredith Riggs Spangler Building.