Fred L. Turner*
Class of 1991
- Senior Chairman, Chairman of Executive Committee McDonald's Corporation
I think the ability to focus is a thread that runs through so-called successful people, which can be self-taught.
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1933, Fred Turner was the son of a bread salesman. To help his family, Turner held odd jobs during his teen years, such as clerking at a drug store and delivering dry cleaning. He attended Drake University, and earned a bachelor's degree in 1954.
In 1956, after two years in the U.S. Army where he attained the rank of corporal, the legendary founder of McDonald's, Ray Kroc, hired Turner. Though Turner had originally hoped for his own franchise, Kroc wanted him on the corporate side.
Shortly before turning 26, Turner was named operations vice president. Ten years later, in 1968, he became president. From 1973 to 1987, he served as CEO of McDonald's. He replaced Kroc as chairman in 1977, when Kroc became senior chairman. Turner served as senior chairman from 1990 until he retired in 2004. He was responsible for building into McDonald's the quality and consistency that became the burger chain's most visible trademark and the standard against which all other fast-food operations would be judged.
Turner was a life trustee of Ronald McDonald House Charities and a former trustee of Drake University. In 1989, he was inducted into Junior Achievement's Chicago Business Hall of Fame. In 1990, Advertising Age magazine named him "Ad Man of the Decade" for the 1980s. In addition, he received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Drake University in 1983 and an honorary doctor of business administration in food service management from Johnson & Wales University in 1991.
Asked for advice about how to succeed, Turner said, "Work hard, use your common sense, and don't be afraid to trust your instincts. But do something you enjoy. My heart cries for people who are employed in something they don't like. You're so much farther ahead if you're in something you enjoy."