Black In Business

I started blogging almost 1 year ago. This is a blog of ordinary people wanting extraordinary success. I admit I lose focus and have spoken on sports, “get real Bears!” social issues, interracial dating and marriage, politics, family, vacations, and current events. All of these issues are business issues and can impact black in business opportunity. An area of opportunity for growth is for me to tell the story more often of black success. What are we doing black people in business to pay our bills? We have business owners, corporate success stories, consultants and other avenues of positive success. We hear about 50 Cent, Jay Z, Lebron, and they have all succeeded in business and we are proud. But who tells the story of the plumber who owns his shop, the hair dressed, the corporate VP? That is what I want to do more of. If you want me to tell your story or know of someone that should be highlighted let me know. We need to know what is possible.
Saying all that to say this, Black Enterprise Magazine’s September 07 issue, announces their B.E. Corporate Executive of the year. The cover story title is, “Brining the Sizzle Back to McDonalds!” It has the picture of relativity young, 44 years old, handsome black man with hip glasses much like the ones I wear. McDonald is a business similar to the NFL or NBA, most young children know about Mickey Dees. It has to inspire some serious young black student to know; Don Thompson, President of McDonalds USA, the largest division of the mammoth fast food chain, is a Blackman. Mr. Thompson has an electrical engineering degree from Purdue University and credits his grandmother, who raised him for starting him on the path of success. When you read about Thompson, it is apparent he wants to do well not only for him and family, but to make grandma proud. His story is one we all can take pride in, a ordinary man doing extraordinary things!

Don Thompson
Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer,
McDonald’s USA, LLC
Don Thompson currently serves as executive vice president and chief operations officer,
McDonald’s USA. In his role, Thompson has responsibility for the entire U.S. field, with the
three U.S. Divisions, Restaurant Systems, U.S. Support Functions as well as Strategy and
Planning reporting to him.
Prior to this role, Thompson served as executive vice president and innovation orchestration
leader for McDonald’s Restaurant Solutions Group. In this role, Thompson was responsible
for establishing, integrating and orchestrating McDonald’s innovation pipeline to drive the
business. He provided system leadership to identify and capitalize on new growth
opportunities, including overseeing our concept development, R&D and menu management
functions.
Previously, Thompson served as president of the West Division for McDonald’s. He was
responsible for more than 4,000 restaurants in the western United States.
Thompson also served as president of the Midwest Division for McDonald’s, and was
responsible for more than 2,200 restaurants in the midwestern United States.
Prior to that, Thompson served as senior vice president, restaurant support officer of the
Midwest Division. Before joining the Midwest Division, he was regional vice president for the
San Diego Region and was responsible for more than 350 restaurants in Southern California.
Thompson began his career with McDonald’s in 1990 as a restaurant systems engineer. In
1991, he was promoted to project manager and, in 1993, was named staff director for the
quality development department. From there, he became director of operations for the
Denver Region.
Thompson is a former member of the San Diego Ronald McDonald House Charities Board of
Directors.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University.
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February, 2006
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