Bill Samuel’s Jr. is a no-nonsese kind of guy, apparently. Recently the Maker’s Mark CEO handed over the operational reins at Maker’s Mark to his son, Rob Samuel. As part of the transition, Bill sent out an email to the Maker’s Mark Ambassador’s Club, a group which I declined membership in solely on the Groucho Marx basis, explaining the move. The line that stands out is as follows:
The time has come for me to think seriously about management continuity and guardianship of the legacy here at Maker’s. I’m over 70, half blind, long in the tooth and probably won’t live forever.
Bill Samuels Jr. email, source: Colloquy
If Wall Street CEO’s had an ounce of that kind of integrity and humility, well, maybe the last few years would have been different….