David Green | |
---|---|
Born |
Emporia, Kansas, US |
November 13, 1941
Residence | Oklahoma City |
Known for | Founder of Hobby Lobby |
Net worth |
US$ 6.8 billion (May 2018) |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Barbara Green |
Children |
Mart Green Steve Green Darsee Lett |
David Green (born November 13, 1941) is an American businessman and the founder of Hobby Lobby, a chain of arts and crafts stores.
In 1970, while a store manager with variety store chain TG&Y, Green took a $600 loan and started a home business in his garage assembling and selling miniature picture frames. The business, Greco Products, capitalized on a decorating fad of the time. By August 1972 the business had thrived to such an extent that Green and his wife were able to open a 300 square-foot store in northwest Oklahoma City. In 1975, Green left his 13-year career with TG&Y and opened a second Hobby Lobby location with 6,000 square feet of space.
Green commits half of Hobby Lobby's total pretax earnings to a portfolio of evangelical ministries and as of 2012, he has donated an estimated $500 million. Green has taken a public stance against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act because of its inclusion of a provision mandating that companies include the "morning-after pill" in their health coverage, which he considers to be an abortifacient.
Green comes from a family of preachers and says he has built his business squarely on biblical principles: "We're Christians, and we run our business on Christian principles."
Green lives in southwest Oklahoma City with his wife, Barbara. They have three children. One son, Mart Green, is the founder and CEO of Mardel Christian and Educational Supply and of Every Tribe Entertainment. Son Steve Green is President of Hobby Lobby, as well as founder and primary funder of the Museum of the Bible. Daughter Darsee Lett is Creative Director for the Hobby Lobby stores.