Chairman of McLane Group and CEO of McLane

Drayton McLane Jr., chairman of McLane Group and chairman and CEO of the Houston Astros Baseball Club,was born and raised in Cameron, TX, where his father, Drayton McLane Sr., owned a wholesale grocery company, McLane Company, Inc.

Drayton Jr’s grandfather, Robert McLane, came to central Texas from Abbeyville, SC in the late 1880’s and settled in Cameron, TX. He worked on a farm until 1885, when he used his savings to open a small retail grocery store. In 1894, he shifted into the wholesale grocery business, marking the beginning of McLane Company, Inc. Deliveries back then were made by horse drawn wagons and trains and the small company grew over the next few years. When Robert’s son, Drayton Sr., graduated from college in 1922, he joined McLane Co. with his father. Drayton Sr. would end up working for over 60 years with McLane Co. In the 1940’s after turning nine years old, Drayton Jr. spent his Saturdays and summers working at McLane Co. stacking inventory and sweeping floors. During his teenage years, he worked in many other areas of the business. In 1954, Drayton Jr. graduated from Yoe High School in Cameron, TX.

After earning an undergraduate degree from Baylor University in 1958 and an MBA from Michigan State in 1959, Drayton Jr planned to take a job in the food industry in San Francisco. During one last visit home, he changed his mind and decided to stay and work for his father at McLane Co. Drayton Jr. thought that with two college degrees, his first job would be in management. His father believed differently though. He believed that despite Drayton Jr’s education, he would never become an effective leader without earning the respect of all employees. So in 1959, Drayton Jr’s first job was an entry level job loading trucks on the night shift. Over the next three years, he advanced, holding a variety of warehouse jobs until moving into management as VP of Purchasing. Soon after, he advanced to GM of operations, a post which he held for the next 14 years. In 1978, Drayton Jr. was named President and CEO of McLane Company, Inc.

During these 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. They were one of the first to use new technology to computerize the distribution system. That was one of the key moves in McLane Company’s success. Since becoming President and CEO, eighteen distribution centers were built around the United States. This happened during an amazing time (1964- 1993) when the company achieved average yearly sales growth of 30% or more. During those years, Drayton Jr. served as President of the Texas Wholesale Grocers Association (1970-1971) and Chairman of the National American Wholesale Grocers Association (1986-1988). In 1990, McLane Co. agreed to merge with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Drayton Jr. accepted the positions of Chairman of McLane Company, Inc. and vice chairman of Wal-Mart. In 1993, he resigned both of these positions in order to devote his full time as Chairman of McLane Group, which is a holding company found in 1992.

These days, Drayton Jr. spends the majority of his time working with McLane Group and the Houston Astros Baseball Club, which he purchased in 1992. He does put aside a large amount of time to serve on civic and charitable committees. Drayton Jr. currently serves as: VP of Executive Board- Boy Scouts of America; Chairman of Board of Trustees- Scott and White Memorial Hospital; Member of National Board of Governors- Cooper Institute of Aerobics Research; director- Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University; Member of the Greater Houston Partnership; Member of United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast.

His past civic duties include: Chairman- United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast’s Pacesetter Campaign; Member- Children’s Miracle Network National Board of Governors; Chairman of the Board- Children’s Miracle Network; Member- Texas State Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation; Vice Chairman of Board of Trustees- Baylor University; Chairman of Board of Regents- Baylor University; Chairman of Temple (Texas) Chamber of Commerce; Trustee- South Texas College of Law.

Over the years, Drayton Jr. has received many significant awards. These awards include: Elizabeth and Drayton McLane Jr. Chair in Health and Wellness (2005)- Scott and White Memorial Hospital; Silver Buffalo Award- Boy Scouts of America (Twice 2004 & 1985); Houston Community Partners Father of the Year Award (2000); Food Distributors International Herbert Hoover Industry Award (1998); Golden Plate Award- American Academy of Achievement (1997); Honorary Doctorate- Michigan State University (1997); Master Entrepreneur- Texas A&M University (1993); Inducted Texas Business Hall of Fame (1992); WR White Meritorious Service Award (1991); Distinguished Alumni Award- Baylor University (1990); Man of the Year Award- Anti Defamation League of B’nai B’rith Food Distributor (1990); American Achiever Award- National American Wholesale Grocers Association (1990); Distinguished Citizen Award- Boy Scouts of America HOT Council (1989); Silver Antelope Award- Boy Scouts of America (1988); Entrepreneur of the Year- Arthur Young/ Venture Magazine (1987); Award for Management Excellence and Achievement- University of Georgia School of Business (1985).

Drayton and his wife Elizabeth reside in Temple, TX and have two sons: Drayton III and Denton. They happily welcomed two new additions to their family in 2004 as Drayton III and his wife Amy welcomed Robert Drayton McLane IV (November) and Denton and his wife Amy welcomed Jefferson Blaylock McLane (June). Drayton and Elizabeth are active member of First Baptist Church of Temple, where Drayton teaches Sunday school and currently serves as an active Deacon. His previous responsibilities in the church include chairing the Deacon Board.