The Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University awarded the 2012 McLane Leadership in Business Award to Joseph M. DePinto, president and CEO of 7-Eleven, Inc., on October 2. The annual award recognizes a prominent figure in private business for outstanding contributions at the national level to business, public service, or community service.
Over 120 people attended the event at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, including Drayton McLane III, the award namesake’s son; Texas A&M University President R. Bowen Loftin; and George Bush Presidential Library Foundation CEO Frederick McClure. Bush School Acting Dean Andrew Card gave the welcome, followed by remarks from Dr. James Griffin and an introduction from Webster Stickney, senior executive vice president of the McLane Group.
Using his experiences at 7-Eleven as an illustration, DePinto’s remarks focused on servant leadership to create positive change in corporate cultures. DePinto highlighted how he helped improve the culture at 7-Eleven and reduced the company’s outstanding debt since taking the CEO position in 2005.
He serves on a variety of corporate and nonprofit boards and advisory councils. 7-Eleven, the premiere convenience retailing company, has 47,900 stores worldwide. Previously, DePinto served as an executive at PepsiCo, Inc., and Thornton Oil Corporation. After DePinto received the award, he also participated in a conversation on leadership with A. Dale Thompson, CEO of Leadership Worth Following, LLC.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to hear from one of today’s most dynamic and innovative leaders,” second-year Bush School student Michael Hardy said. “Mr. DePinto’s success is marked by his ability to think outside the box on some of today’s most difficult challenges, and he is a great example for the students at the Bush School to follow.”
The McLane Award aims to highlight different roles business plays in maintaining the vitality of the nation, to educate youth and the public about corporate citizenship, and to instill in them a dedication to public service. The award is named after Drayton McLane, Jr., Chairman of the McLane Group, who is a strong supporter of the Bush School. He is a member of the Bush School Advisory Board and is the Chairman of the Bush School’s capital campaign.
