Arthur Blank
Arthur Blank
================
Full Name and Common Aliases
------------------------------
Arthur Bernard Blank is an American businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
Birth and Death Dates
-------------------------
Born on September 27, 1942
Nationality and Profession(s)
---------------------------------
Nationality: American
Profession: Businessman, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist
Early Life and Background
------------------------------
Arthur Blank was born in Flushing, Queens, New York to immigrant parents from Poland. He grew up in a modest household with his siblings, where his father worked as a tailor and his mother was a seamstress. Blank's early life was marked by hard work and determination, traits that would serve him well throughout his career.
Blank attended the University of Georgia on a football scholarship, earning a degree in industrial administration in 1962. After college, he joined the United States Army Reserve and served for six years, eventually attaining the rank of captain. Following his military service, Blank began his business career as an accountant with the Arthur Andersen & Co. accounting firm.
Major Accomplishments
---------------------------
Arthur Blank's most notable achievements lie in his entrepreneurial endeavors:
In 1982, he co-founded the retailing company The Home Depot with Bernie Marcus and Pat Farrah.
Under Blank's leadership, The Home Depot expanded across the United States, becoming one of the world's largest home improvement retailers.
Blank's success at The Home Depot enabled him to pursue other business ventures, including:
NFL Franchise: In 2002, he co-founded the Atlanta Falcons NFL team with his business partner, Terry McGuirk.
Atlanta United FC: In 2014, Blank became the owner of Major League Soccer's expansion team, Atlanta United FC.
Notable Works or Actions
---------------------------
Arthur Blank is known for his philanthropic efforts:
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation supports education, youth development, arts and culture, and health initiatives.
In 2001, Blank founded the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation to promote youth development programs in the community.
Impact and Legacy
----------------------
Arthur Blank's impact on business and society is multifaceted:
Entrepreneurship: As co-founder of The Home Depot, he revolutionized the home improvement retail industry.
Sports Franchise: His ownership of the Atlanta Falcons brought professional football to the city, contributing significantly to its economy.
Blank's philanthropic endeavors have made a lasting impact on the community:
Education and Youth Development: Through his foundation, Blank has supported initiatives that promote education and youth development in underserved communities.
Arts and Culture: His support for arts programs has enriched the cultural landscape of Atlanta.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
------------------------------------------
Arthur Blank is widely quoted and remembered due to:
Entrepreneurial Spirit: As a successful entrepreneur, he embodies the American dream and serves as an inspiration to aspiring business leaders.
Philanthropic Commitment: His dedication to giving back to his community has made a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals.
Throughout his life, Arthur Blank's determination, entrepreneurial spirit, and philanthropic commitment have left an indelible mark on business and society.
Quotes by Arthur Blank
My job, when it comes to free agency, trades, is not to pick players, but support the personnel department and the coaching staff. We have to have the financial resources to make things happen and that’s my job.
You need a lot of things in any organization, but one of the critical things is trust. When you lose trust and you feel betrayed, and it’s not a matter of judgment.
If something happens, you have to realize that you can’t just yell at people all the time.
I run because it’s so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can’t. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought.
And at the end of that game, when we stood there and watched the snow come down and you looked up there at that scoreboard and the Falcons are on top, I mean our players were in awe. They stood there and took their helmets off and soaked it all up. It was so special. It was just the culmination of an incredible season, both on and off the field, and it was a gift to our players and a gift to our fans. I was just proud to be part of it.
He started crying, I started crying. It's like one of your children. He's a 23-year-old who's imagining the worst. It's painful.
I suggest that you make sure your wills are in order because you don't want your kids fighting over your season tickets when you're gone,
If you look at the last number of votes, it's very clear the ownership feels strongly about having the game where the weather is generally warmer.