Drayton McLane
chairman of Texas Central Partners
After receiving degrees from Baylor University and Michigan State University, Drayton McLane began working in the family business, which was opened in 1894 by his grandfather and sustained by the leadership of his father in 1921. McLane Company needed innovative ideas in order to remain competitive when Drayton joined the ranks in 1959. Under his leadership, the grocery distribution center grew into an international firm.
Following the McLane Company’s merger with Wal-Mart Inc. in 1990, Mr. McLane became vice president of Wal-Mart while maintaining his position with 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. McLane Group is a parent company consisting of family-owned companies operating throughout the world, which until November 2011 included the Houston Astros, for which he served as chairman and CEO.
Mr. McLane currently serves as chairman of Texas Central Partners, building the first high-speed rail in the United States between Houston and Dallas. He also serves on several boards, including Baylor Scott & White Healthcare, the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research, Baylor College of Medicine, M.D. Anderson University Cancer Foundation, Heart of Texas Defense Alliance, Advisory Board for the Bush School of Government and Public Service, and a Director of Happy State Bank.
He and his wife, Elizabeth, reside in Temple, Texas. They have two sons and five grandsons. They are active members of First Baptist Church of Belton, where he is a deacon.