Worthington Remembers Founder, John H. McConnell
04/28/2008 - Worthington Industries founder John H. McConnell passed away on April 25, 2008.
Worthington Industries founder John H. McConnell passed away on April 25, 2008.
McConnell served as Chairman until 1996 and retired from the board in 2002. Although he stepped down from a formal leadership role in the company, his leadership style, which has been included in the business curriculum at Harvard University and praised by management guru Tom Peters, still drives the company’s culture. That philosophy, based on the Golden Rule—“We treat our customers, employees, investors and suppliers as we would like to be treated”—is the subject of McConnell’s 2004 book, “Our Golden Rule.”
“My father’s legacy is how he treated people and that will live on in this company through all those who have worked here, past and present,” said Chairman and CEO John P. McConnell. “His principles and wisdom are ingrained in our philosophy and that will never change. While it’s hard to imagine not having him here, we are comforted by the fact that his guidance will always be with us.”
Born May 10, 1923, McConnell, the son of a steel worker, grew up during the Great Depression. He served aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga during World War II and, upon discharge from the Navy, studies business and played football at Michigan State University.
While working for Weirton Steel Corp., McConnell identified a niche in the industry for custom steel processing services. Using his 1952 Oldsmobile as collateral for a loan, he launched Worthington Industries in 1955. Today, the company he founded in Columbus, Ohio, employs 8000 people in 69 facilities in 11 countries, and has annual sales of approximately $3 billion.
Through his humanitarian and community efforts, McConnell became widely recognized as one of Columbus’ most generous citizens. His charitable contributions led to the McConnell Heart Hospital at Riverside Hospital, which provides treatment and prevention services for heart-related illnesses. And in 1997, he led a group of investors to bring the National Hockey League to Columbus. The Columbus Blue Jackets played its first game in September 2000. The arrival of the Blue Jackets brought an influx of development and community pride to Columbus.
McConnell also was one of the early investors in the Columbus Crew Major League Soccer franchise and previously was a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club and the Columbus Destroyers.
Through his work ethic, business acumen, philanthropy, sense of community and genuine desire to do the right thing for his customers, employees and community, McConnell established himself as a leader, not only in Columbus, but also throughout the steel industry and the business world.
McConnell was named Chief Executive Officer of the Year by Financial World magazine, and Industry Week magazine recognized him for Excellence in Management. He is the recipient of the Horatio Alger Award and the National Football Foundation Gold Medal Award. He received the 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, the Ohio Governor’s Award and the Michigan State University Outstanding Alumni Award. He was inducted into the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame, the Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame and the Columbus Hall of Fame.
