Arthur Blank (born September 27, 1942, in Sunnyside, New York) is an American businessman and a co-founder of Home Depot. Today he is known for his philanthropy and his ownership of the Atlanta Falcons team in the National Football League and the Georgia Force team in the Arena Football League.

[edit] Early life

Arthur Blank grew up in Flushing, New York, with his father, Max, his mother, Molly, and his older brother, Michael. Blank graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York City^[1] and went on to attend Babson College, where he graduated in 3 years in 1963 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. He also received an honorary degree from Furman University, where the Falcons held training camp until 2002.

[edit] Working Life

After graduating from Babson College, Blank was hired by Handy Dan Hardware, and worked his way up through the company to become a regional manager. He was fired in 1978 for a disagreement with executives.

In 1978, Blank co-founded Home Depot with Bernie Marcus, another former Handy Dan manager. New York investment banker Ken Langone assembled the initial group of investors. The store revolutionized the home improvement business with its warehouse concept and Blank and Marcus became billionaires as a result. Blank spent 19 years as the company's chief financial officer before succeeding Marcus as CEO. Blank retired from the company in 2001 as co-chairman.

[edit] Sports Ownership

In February 2002, Blank purchased the Atlanta Falcons franchise in the National Football League from longtime owner Rankin Smith. In September 2004, he bought the Arena Football League franchise, the Georgia Force; he moved the team back to the city of Atlanta after it had spent several years in suburban Gwinnett County.

Blank has expressed serious interest in purchasing other Atlanta franchises. In early 2006, he temporarily withdrew from contention as a potential buyer of the Major League Baseball team Atlanta Braves. Some months later, Blank re-entered serious talks with Time Warner and a report indicated that a sale was imminent.[1] However, in February 2007, the Braves completed the sale of the team to Liberty Media. Blank has also spoke of purchasing an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer. Atlanta is currently being considered for MLS expansion.

[edit] Current Life

Blank is the Chairman, President, and CEO of AMB Group, LLC, and the Arthur Blank Family Foundation. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Emory University. He is married and he and his wife Stephanie have six children and two grandchildren. As of September 17, 2008, his net worth was estimated at $1.3 billion. Blank was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2009, Blank was named Georgia Speaker of the Year by the Barkley Forum debating society of Emory University. He and his wife reside in the Buckhead section of Atlanta, along with their three youngest children. A strong believer in work-life balance, Blank still makes time daily for working out and spending time with family.

[edit] References

1. ^ "Arthur Blank - Owner and CEO - Biography". http://www.atlantafalcons.com/People/Staff/Executive/Arthur_Blank.aspx. Retrieved 2007-11-01. 

[edit] External links

• Arthur Blank Bio at BlankFoundation.org
• #377 Arthur Blank at Forbes.com
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• Lemonade Stories: Art Blank
• Arthur Blank in Atlanta
• The DIY Quarterback Leadership article in Smart Business