Donald C. Lillis
Donald Lillis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Niagara Falls, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 23, 1968 (aged 66) |
| Occupation(s) | Business executive, sports executive |
| Known for | President of Bowie Race Track and New York Jets |
Donald Chase Lillis (September 6, 1901 – July 23, 1968) was a prominent American executive in both business and sports, recognized for his leadership as president of the Bowie Race Track and the New York Jets football franchise.
Early life
Born in Niagara Falls, New York and raised in Buffalo, New York, Lillis was the son of a trainmaster employed by the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He pursued higher education at Columbia University and later at the University at Buffalo Law School, although he did not complete a degree at either institution.
Business career
Throughout his professional life, Lillis occupied several senior positions, including vice president at Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. and manager of the trading department at Laurence M. Marks & Co. He became affiliated with Bear, Stearns & Co. in 1943, advancing to general partner by 1945 and later assuming the role of limited partner in 1957. His leadership extended to serving as president of Chesapeake & Potomac Airways, chairman of both Nuclear Corporation of America and National Can Company, as well as holding directorships at Piasecki Aircraft, Pabst Brewing Company, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, and Star Electric Motor Company.
Bowie Race Track
In 1952, Lillis became part of a consortium led by ex-New York Yankees executive Larry MacPhail that acquired Bowie Race Track. Following MacPhail’s removal by the Maryland racing commission in 1953 due to misconduct allegations, Lillis assumed the presidency. He continued in this capacity even after Canadian mining businessman E. R. E. Carter gained controlling shares in 1962, until stepping down in 1966 to concentrate on his ventures based in New York City.
New York Jets
In 1963, Lillis joined forces with four other investors from New York to purchase the New York Jets from Harry Wismer, who was facing bankruptcy. The investment group was initially headed by Sonny Werblin until 1968 when Lillis and his associates (Leon Hess, Philip H. Iselin, and Townsend B. Martin), unhappy with their limited involvement, sought to exit through a buyout. Unable to finance this transaction himself, Werblin sold his ownership stake to the remaining partners. Subsequently, on May 23, 1968, Lillis was appointed president of the team. His leadership was short-lived as he passed away from heart disease on July 23 of the same year.