Jim Haslam
| Jim Haslam | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
James Arthur Haslam II December 13, 1930 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. |
| Residence | Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A. |
| Alma mater | University of Tennessee |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Spouse(s) | Cynthia Allen (1953–74) Natalie Leach (1976–present) |
| Children |
Jimmy Haslam Bill Haslam Ann Haslam (Bailey) |
James Arthur "Jim" Haslam II (born December 13, 1930) is an American businessman and philanthropist, best known as the founder of Pilot Corporation, which operates a chain of convenience stores and travel centers throughout the United States and Canada, and is one of the largest privately owned companies in the United States. Haslam is also a prominent donor for the University of Tennessee, having provided tens of millions of dollars to the school over several decades. Haslam's son, Jimmy, is the current owner of the Cleveland Browns, and his other son, Bill, is the current Governor of Tennessee.
Haslam was born in 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Melitta (Fry) and James Arthur Haslam. His father was a World War I veteran who was, at the time, working for the Studebaker Corporation. The family lived for a time in Pennsylvania before moving to St. Petersburg, Florida. Jim was a star football player at St. Petersburg High School, and had offers to play at several colleges. He eventually chose the University of Tennessee, following a recruiting visit from legendary U.T. coach Robert Neyland.
Haslam enrolled at U.T. in 1948. During the Volunteers' 1951 national championship season, he was a starter on an offensive line that helped his Sigma Chi fraternity brother, Hank Lauricella, to an All American season and a second place finish in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. Haslam was a captain on the 1952 team, but missed the last few games of the season due to eligibility issues.
Following graduation, Haslam joined the United States Army, with the commission of Second Lieutenant. He spent several months in Korea following the 1953 armistice that ended combat operations in the Korean War. After returning to Tennessee, he turned down an offer to coach the South Pittsburg High School football team, and instead joined LaFollette, Tennessee-based Fleet Oil. After about a year, Fleet president Sam Claiborne appointed Haslam head of the company's new Sail Oil chain of stations.
...
Wikipedia