Arthur Blank

Arthur Blank is a renowned American businessman and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder of Home Depot, along with Bernard Marcus. He is also the owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC. Blank's business career has been marked by his association with prominent companies such as Dayton-Hudson Corporation and Handy Dan Improvement Centers. His entrepreneurial ventures have been influenced by his relationships with notable figures like Sam Walton and Sol Price.

● Early Life and Education

Arthur Blank was born in Flushing, New York, to a family of Jewish descent. He grew up in Bayside, Queens, and developed an interest in business at an early age, inspired by his father's experiences as a pharmacist and his mother's work as a secretary at Gimbels. Blank attended St. John's University, where he earned a degree in business administration and was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, alongside notable alumni like Bill Clinton and Vince McMahon. During his college years, Blank was also influenced by the entrepreneurial spirit of Ray Kroc and the McDonald's franchise model.

● Business Career

Blank's business career began at Dayton-Hudson Corporation, where he worked alongside George Dayton and Douglas Dayton. He later joined Handy Dan Improvement Centers, a home improvement store chain, as a manager, and eventually became the president of the company, working closely with Bernard Marcus and Pat Farrah. In 1978, Blank and Marcus were fired from Handy Dan Improvement Centers, which led them to co-found Home Depot in 1979, with the help of investors like Ken Langone and Milton Carroll. The first two Home Depot stores opened in Atlanta, Georgia, and the company quickly expanded, with Blank and Marcus at the helm, inspired by the success of Walmart and Sam's Club.

● Philanthropy

Arthur Blank is a dedicated philanthropist, with a focus on children's healthcare and education. He has supported organizations like Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, which he established in 1995. The foundation has donated to various causes, including the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the United Way of Greater Atlanta. Blank has also been involved with the National Park Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and has worked closely with philanthropists like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.

● Personal Life

Arthur Blank has been married twice, first to Diana Blank and then to Stephanie Blank. He has six children, including Kenny Blank and Dena Blank, and is a resident of Atlanta, Georgia. Blank is a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club and has been involved with various Jewish organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. He has also been recognized for his philanthropic efforts, receiving awards like the Jefferson Award and the Horatio Alger Award, alongside notable recipients like Elie Wiesel and Madeleine Albright.

● Sports Ownership

In 2002, Arthur Blank purchased the Atlanta Falcons from Taylor Smith, and has since been the team's owner, overseeing the construction of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the hiring of coaches like Mike Smith and Dan Quinn. Blank has also been involved with the National Football League and has worked closely with commissioners like Paul Tagliabue and Roger Goodell. In 2014, he became the owner of Atlanta United FC, a professional soccer team that competes in Major League Soccer, with the help of investors like Darren Eales and Carlos Bocanegra. Blank's sports ownership ventures have been influenced by his relationships with other owners, like Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft, and have been recognized with awards like the Sports Business Journal's Sports Executive of the Year award.