BE Honors McDonalds Exec…Donald Thompson credited for increasing profit

BLACK ENTERPRISE (BE) has named Don Thompson, president of McDonald's USA, as its 2007 Corporate Executive of the Year. Thompson, who graced the cover of the publication's September issue, was honored during a ceremony held on October 1 in Detroit, Michigan.

BLACK ENTERPRISE presents its annual Corporate Executive of the Year title to a business leader personifying excellence in their chosen field and whose exemplary record of achievement serves to inspire future generations of African Americans. 

"Thompson meets every criterion you could name for judging an exec's capabilities—be it management skills, creative problem solving, or that indefinable clairvoyance that comes into play when making the right decisions in a volatile marketplace," said BE founder & publisher Earl G. Graves Sr. "His strategy for making McDonalds a more profitable company began with making it a better company. The proof is right there on the balance sheet."

Thompson joined the company in 1990 as a restaurant systems engineer and was soon promoted to project manager in 1991. From there, his rise up the corporate ladder was non-stop. He's served as executive vice present for McDonald's restaurant solutions groups, where he led global innovation orchestrations; president of McDonald's West Division, leading an organization of 4,000 restaurants in 16 states; and president of the former Midwest Division, overseeing 2,200 restaurants. Prior to joining the Midwest Division, Thompson was regional vice president for the San Diego area's 350 restaurants. With 40 total regions at the time, his strategic plan catapulted the section from a rank of No. 39 to No. 2 within a year.

He has led a team responsible for the financial success of the 13,700 locations nationwide, and his contributions are stellar: Total 2006 revenues reached $7.464 billion, compared with the $6.995 billion in 2005 and $6.525 billion in 2004. In the second quarter of 2007 alone, revenues jumped 12 percent, to more than $6 billion.

"We are proud and honored that BLACK ENTERPRISE selected Don for his outstanding contributions to McDonald's," said Ernie Adair, president of the National Black McDonald's Owner/Operator Association which represents the African American franchisees operating 1,200 McDonald's restaurants. "Don working through the ranks is a great illustration of the opportunities the company offers and the value of diversity at McDonald's."

BlackEnterprise.com 

http://www.blackenterprise.com/career/careeropen.asp?id=3612