Drayton McLane
Drayton McLane Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 22, 1936 Cameron, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman |
| Known for | Chairman of McLane Group; former owner and CEO of Houston Astros |
Drayton McLane Jr. (born July 22, 1936) is an American billionaire entrepreneur and serves as chairman of the McLane Group, a diverse holding company. He led the McLane Company, a grocery and foodservice distribution and logistics firm, as CEO until 1990. Between 1993 and 2011, he was chairman and CEO of the Houston Astros, a Major League Baseball team. As of October 2021, his net worth was estimated to be approximately US$2.9 billion.
Personal history
McLane was born in Cameron, Texas into a family with deep roots in wholesale grocery distribution, a business established by his grandfather Robert McLane in 1894. He began working in the enterprise at the age of nine, gaining practical experience throughout his early years. After graduating from C. H. Yoe High School in 1954, he earned a bachelor's degree from Baylor University in 1958 and completed an MBA in marketing at Michigan State University in 1959.
Upon finishing his studies, McLane returned to the family enterprise and started on the night shift loading trucks. He progressed to vice president of purchasing and then served as general manager of operations for fourteen years. In 1978, he assumed the roles of president and CEO of the McLane Company, becoming chairman in 1992.
During his leadership tenure, the company grew dramatically from $3 million to $19 billion in annual revenue by constructing a nationwide distribution network catering to convenience stores, supermarkets, and fast-food outlets. He introduced computer technology to enhance operational efficiency and expanded the company's footprint with sixteen distribution centers across the United States. The organization experienced an average yearly sales increase of 30% under his guidance. Additionally, McLane held prominent positions such as president of the Texas Wholesale Grocers Association (1970–1971) and chairman of the National American Wholesale Grocers Association (1986–1988).
In 1990, McLane sold the family business to his tennis partner Sam Walton for a combination of cash and Wal-Mart shares. He then became vice chairman of Wal-Mart Corporation while maintaining his chairmanship at McLane Co. He stepped down from these roles in 1993 to concentrate on managing the McLane Group, a holding company he established in 1992.
Baseball ownership
On July 24, 1992, McLane reached an agreement with John McMullen to acquire the Houston Astros and lease the Astrodome for $117 million; this transaction received league approval later that year.
In his inaugural season as owner in 1993, the Astros finished with an 85–77 record. Following limited success with free-agent signings, McLane replaced Bill Wood and Art Howe with Bob Watson—MLB's second African American general manager—and Terry Collins. Gerry Hunsicker was appointed general manager in 1995.
The Astros' minor league system remained underdeveloped from 1986 through 1996. By 1995, McLane reported losses totaling $65 million and called for higher season ticket sales to sustain competitiveness amid rumors of relocation. A county referendum passed in 1996 enabled construction of what became Minute Maid Park. The team captured the National League Central division title in 1997 on a payroll of $33 million.
Under Larry Dierker’s management, the Astros reached multiple postseasons before his departure in 2001. The offseason prior to 2003 saw key signings including Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. Midway through the 2004 season, Phil Garner replaced Jimy Williams as manager; a trade acquiring Carlos Beltrán helped secure a Wild Card berth and win their first postseason series. After that season, Hunsicker resigned reportedly due to friction with McLane; Tim Purpura succeeded him.
The Astros won the National League pennant in 2005 and hosted Texas's inaugural World Series game but were swept by the Chicago White Sox. This marked their last playoff appearance until 2017, followed by a decade marked by decline caused by an aging roster and weak farm system amid emphasis on free-agent acquisitions.
After nearly selling the franchise to Jim Crane following the 2008 season—who had unsuccessfully pursued other MLB teams—McLane put the Astros up for sale again in November 2010. The team was sold to Crane in November 2011 for $680 million after finishing that year with a franchise-record low of 106 losses.
Post-sale, Crane filed suit against McLane alleging misrepresentation regarding TV broadcast rights valuation; McLane countersued accusing the Astros of deliberately losing seasons to damage network value. These legal disputes have persisted through 2023 with courts permitting Crane’s lawsuit to proceed.
Throughout McLane’s nineteen-year ownership, the Astros posted winning records fourteen times, reached six postseasons, and transitioned into Minute Maid Park in 2000. He appointed four general managers—Gerry Hunsicker being the longest tenured—and six managers overall. Known for managing team operations similarly to a business enterprise, his hands-on approach sometimes clashed with general managers’ strategies resulting in mixed outcomes concerning free agent signings. Under his stewardship, the team amassed 1,556 wins against 1,456 losses, making him their longest-serving owner.
McLane Group
Drayton McLane heads McLane Group, the family-owned holding corporation that manages various businesses such as Sports in Action, Dave Campbell's Texas Football, McLane Intelligent Solutions, McLane Technology Partners, McLane Global, McLane Classic Foods, McLane Ranch, L.P., and RDM Commerce, Inc.
Past subsidiaries of McLane Group have included McLane Polska, McLane Portugal, McLane Cattle, LLC, Leading Edge Flavors, McLane International, and McLane Advanced Technologies.
Volunteer activities
Together with his wife Elizabeth, McLane has two grown sons and actively participates in the First Baptist Belton congregation. Their family donated $4 million to upgrade Michigan State University's baseball facility, which led to the venue being named Drayton McLane Baseball Stadium at John H. Kobs Field.
McLane invests considerable effort in community service and philanthropic leadership. He serves as chairman of Texas Central Partners High Speed Rail and holds the position of vice president at large on the Boy Scouts of America National Board. His board memberships include Baylor Scott and White Healthcare, Cooper Institute of Aerobics Research, Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service, Baylor College of Medicine, University Cancer Foundation MD Anderson, Happy State Bank, and United Way of Central Texas.
His previous leadership roles encompass chairing Baylor Scott and White Healthcare’s board of trustees and serving in executive capacities with the Boy Scouts of America, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, Children’s Miracle Network, Texas State Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Baylor University’s board of regents, Greater Houston Partnership, Temple Chamber of Commerce, and South Texas College of Law.
As a key donor to Baylor University—where facilities such as the McLane Student Life Center, carillons, and McLane Stadium are named in his honor—and to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB), which recognizes him through McLane Hall, he also sponsors notable lecture series featuring prominent individuals including former President George H. W. Bush and ex-NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe.
In acknowledgment of their support, Scott and White Memorial Hospital established the Elizabeth and Drayton McLane Jr. Chair in Health and Wellness in 2005.
In April 2020, Governor Greg Abbott appointed McLane to the Strike Force to Open Texas to assist in formulating plans for the safe reopening of the state during the COVID-19 crisis.
Political activity
McLane donated $61,200 toward Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign.
McLane Stadium
Baylor University designated its new football stadium as McLane Stadium in December 2013 to honor one of its most prominent and generous alumni families.
Honors and awards
- 1997 Golden Plate Award: American Academy of Achievement