Leonard H. Lavin (October 29, 1919 – August 2, 2017) was an American businessman, racehorse owner and breeder, and philanthropist, who, in 1955 founded the Alberto-Culver Company.[1] He served as chairman emeritus of the company and was a director of the international manufacturer/distributor of personal care and household/grocery products. Lavin was also a director of Histogen, a regenerative medicine company based in San Diego, California.[2]
Leonard H. Lavin | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 29, 1919 |
| Died | August 2, 2017 (aged 97) US |
| Education | University of Washington |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, Racehorse owner/breeder, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder, Alberto-Culver |
| Board member of | Albert-Culver, Histogen, Inc. |
| Spouse | Bernice E. Weiser (1925–2007) |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | TOBA Florida Breeder of the Year (1994) Eclipse Award Of Merit (2015) |
Background
editLavin studied at the University of Washington then served in the US Navy for four years.[3] In 1947 he married Bernice Weiser, who went on to become an executive of Alberto-Culver and played an important part in the company's success.[4]
Philanthropy
editAmong their philanthropic activities is the Bernice and Leonard H. Lavin Endowed Scholarship for Inner City Chicagoland Students at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois,[5] the Lavin VentureStart programs in the Entrepreneurial Management Center at San Diego State University,[6] and the Leonard and Bernice Lavin Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Washington.[7]
Thoroughbred racing
editSince the 1960s, Lavin was involved in horse racing. He owned Glen Hill Farm in Ocala, Florida, where he bred Thoroughbreds.[8] In 1994 he was voted the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's Florida Breeder of the Year award. Among his best-known horses are Relaunch, an outstanding sire whose daughter One Dreamer won the 1994 Breeders' Cup Distaff,[9] In 2015, he was awarded the Eclipse Award Of Merit, a lifetime achievement award.[10]
Lavin is the author of Winners Make It Happen: Reflections of a Self-Made Man.
Awards
editLavin was inducted as a laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and awarded the Order of Lincoln (the state's highest honor) by the Governor of Illinois in 1997 in the area of business and industry.[11]
Death
editHe died in August 2017 at the age of 97 from complications of pneumonia.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Our Story" Archived 2008-07-16 at the Wayback Machine - Alberto-Culver release
- ^ "Histogen - About Histogen - Board of Directors of Histogen". Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- ^ University of Washington Archived 2010-06-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Chicago Tribune - October 30, 2007
- ^ "Lewis University > Financial Aid > Scholarships Available". Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- ^ Entrepreneurial Management Center, San Diego State University Archived 2010-08-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Entrepreneurial Action Program details at the University of Washington News Archived 2010-06-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Leonard Lavin". Ocala.com. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- ^ Leonard Lavin's profile at Tampa Bay Downs Archived 2010-11-30 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Claire Novak (17 January 2016). "At Eclipse Awards, 'AP' is King". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- ^ "Laureates by Year - The Lincoln Academy of Illinois". The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
- ^ Glen Hill Founder Leonard Lavin Passes Away