Conversation with Drayton McLane, Jr. and Drayton McLane III on stewardship in business and life

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Drayton McLane Jr. and Drayton McLane III about stewardship, integrity, and the long-term responsibilities of leadership in business. They discuss how values, accountability, finance, vendor relationships, and organizational culture shape companies that endure across generations. - How family values and Christian principles shaped the McLane business culture across generations. - Why stewardship requires long-term thinking rather than short-term gain. - The role accountability and finance leaders play in protecting organizational integrity. - How businesses affect employees, vendors, customers, and communities simultaneously. Drayton McLane, Jr. serves as chairman of the McLane Group and is the former CEO of the Houston Astros Baseball Club.  A native Texan, this acclaimed businessman, leader, and generous philanthropist, ensures the focus of all his endeavors are based upon strong Christian values and moral ethics. The grandson of a successful entrepreneur, Drayton experienced firsthand the hard work and dedication it takes to successfully thrive in industry.  He began developing his tireless work ethic at age nine by working for his father at the family’s wholesale grocery business, the McLane Company.  Mr. McLane received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baylor University in 1958 and his Master of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University in 1959.  Upon completion of his formal education, Drayton came back to begin working at the family business loading trucks on the second shift.  He worked his way up and by earning the respect and admiration of his co-workers, he became president and CEO of the company in 1964 and held these positions for thirty years. During his tenure, he propelled the McLane Company into a nineteen billion dollar company, achieving an average growth rate of thirty percent per year.  Following the McLane Company’s merger with Wal-Mart, Inc. in 1990, he became vice-chairman of Wal-Mart while maintaining his position at the McLane Company.  After playing key roles in each of these companies’ growth and productivity, he resigned in order to devote more time to the McLane Group, a parent company consisting of family owned companies operating throughout the world, which until November of 2011 included the Houston Astros where he served as Chairman and CEO. Drayton McLane completed his nineteenth season with the Astros in 2011 when he sold the team.  Over the years, their philosophy remained consistent – bring home a World Series championship to Houston and make a positive difference in the community.  They were unable to bring home a championship, but they were the first Texas team to make it to the World Series and they also made a very positive difference in the community. Drayton McLane, III graduated from Baylor University in 1996 with a BBA in Marketing, and accepted a position with MBNA America in Dallas, Texas.  He worked in the marketing department working with direct promotions, direct mail, and telemarketing teams while at MBNA.   After three years with MBNA, Drayton started with Lone Star Plastics (a polyethylene film producer in Garland, Texas) and completed their management training program.  Drayton spent a total of six years with Lone Star before coming back home to Temple, Texas in 2006 to work at McLane Group. Beginning in 2008, Drayton III was the purchasing director for McLane Advanced Technologies. He spent his time consolidating purchases within MAT and pulling all McLane Group purchasing together to maximize their buying power.  He also has worked as a sales rep for the other McLane Group companies.  Drayton III is Managing Partner of McLane Classic Foods, a kettle cook company located in Burleson, Texas.  He has been with McLane Classic Foods since 2010. McLane Classic Foods provides an array of kettle cooked food products to national chain restaurants. Since February 2014 Drayton III has served as Chairman of Dave Campbell’s Texas Sports (Formerly Sports in Action) who publish Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine and perform advertising and marketing duties on behalf of Texas UIL, Texas High School Coaches Association and Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. For more about Eric: ericralexander.com; stewardleaderspodcast.com; sixarrowsconsulting.com. Leadership is temporary. Stewardship is about forever. To learn about Eric’s upcoming book: Stewardship Leadership for Stinkin' Accountants: Serving as the CFO See also the LinkedIn newsletter: Musings for Steward Leaders Intro/outro music: "Fairest" performed and arranged by Eric, based on the hymn "Fairest Lord Jesus" (from a 17th century German hymn and folk tune).