Arthur Blank
Arthur Blank is an American businessman and entrepreneur best known for his involvement as a co-founder of The Home Depot, one of the most successful businesses of the late 20th century. He was also the former president and CEO of the parent company, the Atlanta-based Blank Family LLC.
Blank was born on September 27, 1942, in Sunnyside, Queens, New York. He attended Stuyvesant High School and graduated from Babson College in Massachusetts with a degree in business and real estate in 1964. He was then accepted to the Harvard Business School, where he received his MBA in 1966.
After graduating, Blank got his start in business working at a grueling Wall Street finance job. But he soon grew tired of the long hours and lack of job satisfaction. After two years, he decided to switch gears and began working in the accounting department at a small regional retailer in the Midwest.
Within a few years, Blank was heading up the company’s real estate division and acquired several key properties throughout the country. This success saw him move on to executive positions at IBM and The Fought Group, which broadened his knowledge and experience across the business landscape.
Blank’s big business break came in 1978 when he was introduced to a former coworker of his, Bernie Marcus. Marcus was the President of Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers and he was looking for someone to help him formulate a plan to launch a new nationwide hardware chain called The Home Depot.
Blank was on board and they both formed a partnership and secured $250,000 investment from a local savings and loan. With great ambition and smart business acumen, Blank and Marcus opened the first Home Depot store in Atlanta, Georgia in 1979 and quickly found success.
In the coming years, The Home Depot expanded to become a major retail empire with over 2,200 stores worldwide and a reported annual revenue of over $105 billion. As of 2021, Blank is the majority owner of The Atlanta Falcons American football team.
Despite the vast wealth he’s accumulated from his business success, Blank has maintained a strong commitment to philanthropy. He has donated millions of dollars to Atlanta charities and causes, including an annual grant program for local entrepreneurs. He’s also a big supporter of education and has given generously to a range of education initiatives throughout his career.
In years past, Blank has earned numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of the “Top 50 Most Influential BusinessPeople of the Decade”, “America’s Best CEOs”, “Entrepreneur of the Year”, and one of the “World’s Most Respected CEOs”.
Arthur Blank’s list of achievements is awe-inspiring, to say the least. His story is one of unwavering hard work, resilience, and visionary leadership. Under his direction, The Home Depot has become one of the most successful businesses of the modern age and he is widely admired for his leadership, business savvy, and philanthropic commitment.
