Donald Friese
Manufacturing

Donald Friese Net Worth

1 year from now

Donald Friese is a self-made billionaire who started out with just $125 in his pocket. He worked his way up from employee number six at C.R. Laurence, a small distributor of supplies for the glass industry, to owning 100% of the company. He expanded the business by purchasing competitors and moving into manufacturing, and in 2015 sold the company to Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope for $1.3 billion. Out of his proceeds, Friese gave his employees $85 million in bonuses, with some receiving more than $1 million. Despite cashing out, Friese continues to run the company's day-to-day operations, working 12 hour days during the week and a half-day every Saturday.
Donald Friese is a member of Manufacturing

Age, Biography and Wiki

Birth Year 1940
Birth Place Los Angeles, California, United States
Age 83 YEARS OLD
Residence Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, US
Occupation CEO of C.R.Laurence Co., Inc.
Title Founder and CEO of C.R.Laurence Co., Inc.
Spouse(s) Andrea Friese
Children 3
Website www.crlaurence.com

💰 Net worth: $1.1 Billion (2024)

Donald Friese is a prominent figure in the manufacturing sector in the United States, and his wealth reflects the success he has achieved. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be an impressive $1.1 billion. Friese's entrepreneurial skills and expertise have allowed him to build substantial wealth in the manufacturing industry. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the sector, resulting in remarkable financial success.

2016 $1 Billion
2017 $1.2 Billion
2018 $1.2 Billion

Biography/Timeline

1940

Donald Friese was born in 1940 in York, Pennsylvania, the third of 13 children. After his high school graduation, he joined the U.S. Army in 1958, trained as a missile mechanic, and was stationed in Taiwan and Okinawa.

1997

Friese started at C.R. Laurence in Los Angeles, which then had just one location, with an "entry-level job", as its sixth employee. A few years later, Bernie Harris, the owner, sold him a 10% stake, and he gradually acquired more, eventually buying Harris out when he retired. When Harris retired in 1997, he bought the 50% he did not already own.

2015

In 2015, he sold the company to the Irish conglomerate CRH plc for $1.3 billion cash, retaining most of the real estate and continuing as CEO. It was reported that Friese made $885 million from the sale of the company.

2017

Friese has been married to Andrea for 53 years (as of June 2017), and lives in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. They have a weekend house in Malibu. They have three children.

Some Donald Friese images

Tags 1940 births American billionaires Living people People from Chatsworth, Los Angeles Businesspeople from Los Angeles People from York, Pennsylvania American business biography stubs

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Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.