Warren McCain
I walked down a hall in a massive office building, which consisted of rooms designated on the doors as to their purpose. On one, Personnel; another, Accounts Payable; the next, Purchasing; further, Payroll; and so on.
I was lost in the maze of Albertson’s Corporate Offices. Apparently I looked like a tourist on Wall Street because several well dressed ladies offered assistance. I took their direction and kept walking. My appointment was for 1:30 but respecting the time of others, I admit to being early. All employees, I meet not and smile as they continue on their way. Finally approaching the desk, where formalities are indulged in, I notice a man approaching. He doesn’t appear to me more important than any other I’ve seen there but that’s where the similarity end. The young lady leading me nods and says, “Good morning, Warren”. And this is the first time I look squarely at him. The man I have come to see. Warren McCain, Chairman of the Board – Chief Executive Officer – title after title. His eyes are bright and his smile is friendly but he’s all business. He knows I’m early but invited me to follow him. He recognizes me from a chance meeting a couple years back. They say to be truly successful, it is important to remember faces and people and perhaps that is true, however, in Mr. McCain’s case, I am certain, he would be successful even if he forgot his own. The School System of Payette honored him, as best they could, by naming the school “The Warren McCain Middle School” several years ago and he appreciated that. You study this man and listen to him and know for a certainty that he is in control. All employees greet him on a first name basis yet none trespass on his authority. His office is impressive and as he passes his secretary, she calmly informs him, “There has been an earthquake this morning in Southern California.” “Any damage to our stores?” he asks. “No, Sir”. “What is the market doing?” “Down a quarter”. She has the answers almost before the questions. Very efficient. He asks me to have a seat and he waits for me to sit – a gentleman from the old school. I should be in awe of him, but I’m not. He’s a dynamo, mind racing facts, as he points out that Albertsons is surveying, even as we talk, for the construction of another huge building in the already crowded complex at Park Center in Boise. Expansion – bigger – better – planning. His office will move to the new wing. You can tell he never puts his mind on hold. The first thing I asked him about were the difficulties he encountered on his climb up the corporate ladder. He hesitated to talk about the struggles necessary to obtain his heights of achievement. He did not deny it was an uphill climb however, he prefers to dwell on accomplishment. “When you ever set your goals higher, you don’t have enough time to think of the struggle – the effort is automatic,” he said. Back in the 1930’s, times were difficult in Payette. Warren worked in gas stations, delivered papers anything he could to keep himself in shoes and overalls. Those days are vivid in his memory but at the same time it was those things, that drove him on. Those things that forced him to be independent and self sufficient. Being poor doesn’t hurt a fellow, it’s his attitude about the condition that can make tor break him. Warren was determined to rise above it and with the aid of several great teachers, he did. Every step of the way – S J Millbrook, Pauline Howerton, and Gulielma Davis. He laughingly recalls the day he was scheduled to perform a play for Ms. Davis, so he got a haircut. When she saw him, she was horrified. “Warren, what have you done?” she exclaimed. Upon his admission that he just wanted to look nice for the play, she gave him a piece of advice, he has never forgotten. This is what she told him, “On the day of an important function, never get a haircut – it shows.” Even now, he never goes to a barber on the day he intends to be on display. Perhaps too, it might be that a haircut admits a man is trying to impress others, while the lack of one, denotes it isn’t necessary. It was Ms. Davis, who taught him how to give a speech. He is emphatic when he relates how much he thinks of her before every oration he delivers. She spent many hours instructing him on the finer points, by showing him how to relax his hands first and next, beginning his speech with a clean, funny anecdote to get their attention. In school, Warren was petrified at being asked to recite in front of the class but with her guidance, he learned to master his fright and even though, he has given thousands of speeches he still has qualms before an audience. He stops for an instant and remembers her advice and everything smooths right out. On his desk was a speech he was preparing to be given in New York, next week. To look at him, a person would never guess he could be nervous about anything. He has financed ten scholarships to the College of Idaho, one of the finest computer systems in the State, a tennis court, locker rooms and many other things too numerous to mention, all for the schools of Payette. He proceeded at this point to inform me about Albertsons. Joe Albertson began with his first store on State Street in Boise in 1939. This year marks years of serving his customers. He started it all, with a dream, sheer determination and $7500 borrowed form a bank. Today, that Corporation can boast of being the Sixth largest grocery chain in America with 506 stores and 53,000 employees. They have 500 tractors and 1500 trailers criss crossing the highways carrying their goods from the producer to the consumer. The big Blue “A’s” logo can be spotted almost anywhere. Last year they grossed 7 billion dollars with a mere 162 million left after expenses. I could actually hear the shifting of gears, as Warren projected his next 5 year Plan. Goal: 12 billion gross with 65,000 employees. There is no doubt he’ll get the job done. He refers to himself, as a maintenance man, who is in charge of keeping the Company going. When he was made President in 1974, Albertsons gross was 10 million and each year since then it has flourished. He believes wholeheartedly in Joe’s philosophy. There are four segments where honorable intentions and good relationships must prevail: 1 – CUSTOMERS: They must receive the best for less plus variety in stores kept clean and attractive. 2 – EMPLOYEES: The Corporation must be the driving force which enables them to respect its efforts. Inasmuch as the employer is the major contributor to their well being, they should realize the more they do for the Company, the more the Company can do for them. It is a two way street. Dedication and ingenuity are most appreciated. 3 – SUPPLIERS: It is most important that a bond of trust and honor be ever present in this buy/sell situation. 4 – STOCKHOLDERS: Last but not least is this group who make it all possible. A corporation has the obligation to furnish a return on each invested dollar and Albertsons showed the largest profit last year of any food chain in the nation. In fact, they were Number One in money making for 1988. They do not have a losing Division in the Company. Their policy brings more business to as many local companies as they can. American Fine Foods, in Payette, cans many of their products and May Trucking Company hauls huge amounts of goods for them. Warren McCain is a Payette High School graduate of 943 and served in the US Navy during World War II. Upon returning from duty, he attended Illinois Institute of Technology, but because he was in the Naval Reserve he was called to serve in the Korean conflict. Following that engagement, he attended the Oregon State University. Lots of schooling but no way to apply it. Those endeavors caused him to get a late start on his career. Nonetheless, he became a salesman for Mountain States Wholesale. His hard work, persistence and ability impressed those who mattered. After years of struggling, he was rewarded by being appointed a Division Manager for Albertsons, Inc. After an evening of celebrating his promotion, he reported for work in his new position, only to be told his Division had been sold the day before. Can you imagine the disappointment that must have been his? Here he was – a Division Manager without a Division! A Captain without a ship! A Pilot without a plane! Little did customers know that the box boy who took their groceries out to their car (sometimes in pouring rain) was the most expensive box boy in the world. Being of strong character, Warren was not easily discouraged and Joe Albertson knew what a gem he had. He made Warren, President of the Corporation in 1974 and one year later, the seat of the Chief Executive and Chairman of the Board, was his. Warren McCain is considered one of the most powerful men in Idaho, today. He still holds the top position and his many prestigious awards, recognition's and commendations are too numerous to list. Recognized by the business and financial world as one of the truly great leaders, he offers a 16 point program, whenever he is asked to speak to groups. A few of those points are:
Warren is living proof of what one man can accomplish. “If you want success, go for it” he says. “You are only limited by how you think and what’s between your ears.” His life and everything he owns is dedicated to Albertsons. His faith in that Corporation is boundless. In 1987, he was the highest paid grocery Chief Executive Officer in the nation. He travels all over the world for Albertsons and when he’s here he hangs his coat in one of three homes – Boise, Garden Valley and Palm Springs, California. Until you have met this gentleman you can never truly appreciate what he represents. From a poor little boy in a small town to the Controller of one of the finest grocery Corporations in the world. He must have a secret to his success but then perhaps, it is only because he is a special person. |
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