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His remarkable career began as a food scientist at Central Soya while a high school senior, and then at Armour Foods, hired there during his junior year of college, and continued at Ralston Purina Company. Len Roberts made a name for himself in food science, marketing, and food service between 1968 and 1985, serving in key management positions. But his most lauded accomplishments were yet to come: incredible turnarounds at three Fortune 500 companies.
First, he served as president and CEO of Arby’s, Inc., where he is credited with engineering an acclaimed and dramatic revival of the company. Next, he repeated this feat as chairman and CEO of Shoney’s, Inc., leading the second-largest restaurant chain in the country with 1,800 locations. Then he secured the triple crown with a third turnaround, this time as chairman and CEO of RadioShack Corporation, where he was the catalyst for the successful reinvention of a company with more than 7,200 retail stores and revenues of $4.8 billion. Along the way, he battled the corruption of Miami financier Victor Posner, and the extreme racism of Shoney’s founder, Ray Danner, while protecting and promoting the interests of the companies he led, the people they employed, and the customers they served.
His vision and leadership elicited major media coverage in outlets like USA Today, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and others, and brought numerous industry accolades and awards. In giving back to the community, Len has served on many boards, including Texas Health Resources, One Safe Place, Students in Free Enterprise, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, the National Crime Prevention Council, North Texas Bold Initiative, National Conference for Community and Justice, Big Brothers and Big Sisters. and United Way of America. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan presented him with the Presidential Private Sector Initiative Award, and in 1999 he was honored as Father of the Year.
This is inherently a story of success, but it is also a story of the importance of family and friends, including legendary baseball player Hank Aaron. This memoir shares the joys of fatherhood, but also the heartache when his first-born daughter was struck by a drunk driver. And it recounts a love story over half a century in the making, between Len and his wife, Laurie.
From a passion for travel to a family love of animals, and from C-suite boardrooms to the family lakehouse, Len has led a life that leaders of all backgrounds can learn from. In this book, he shares the memories, insights, and leadership principles that he has developed over a lifetime of integrity and accomplishment, while acknowledging and honoring the loved ones who make it all worthwhile.”
Bank of America
5moI just finished reading the book. A very fantastic chronicle of my former CEO’s life and achievements. Leonard Roberts - a truly transformational leader and adept change agent! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! -M