Donald Friese | $1B+

Billionaire

Aug 4

Get in touch with Donald Friese | Donald E. “Don” Friese rose from an orphanage in rural Pennsylvania to become a self-made billionaire. He joined C.R. Laurence in 1961 as a warehouse worker, bought full ownership by the 1990s, and grew it into the largest glazing‑supplies company in the U.S. He sold the business in 2015 for $1.3 billion while personally gifting more than $86 million in bonuses to employees and remains active philanthropically through the Friese Foundation.

Donald Friese (born October 3, 1940) is an American billionaire businessman, and the chief executive (CEO) and former owner of C.R. Laurence Co., Inc., a glazing supplies company.[1]

Donald Friese
Friese in 2020
Born 3 October 1940 (age 84)
York, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s) CEO of C.R. Laurence Co., Inc.
Title Founder and CEO of C.R. Laurence Co., Inc.
Spouse Andrea Friese
Children 3
Website www.crlaurence.com
Contents

Early life

edit

Donald Friese was born in 1940 in York, Pennsylvania, the third of 13 siblings.[2] 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.[2] He served in the army for 3 years before moving to Los Angeles with $125 in his pocket to find a job.[3]

Career

edit

Friese started at C.R. Laurence in Los Angeles, which then had just one location, with an "entry-level job", as its sixth employee.[1][2] 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.[2] When Harris retired in 1997, Friese bought the 50% he did not already own. He expanded the business by acquiring competitors and launching a manufacturing operation. By 2015, the company manufactured more than 65,000 products for the glass industry.[3] In 2015, Friese sold the company to the Irish conglomerate CRH plc for $1.3 billion cash, retaining most of the real estate and continuing as CEO.[2] It was reported that Friese made $885 million from the sale of the company.[3]

Personal life

edit

Friese and his wife Andrea live in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. They have three children.

Join UHNWI direct Affiliate Program

Earn Passive Income by Sharing Verified Contact Information of Billionaires, Centi-Millionaires, and Multi-Millionaires on the UHNWI Direct Platform

Maximize your earnings potential by sharing direct and validated contact information of the ultra-wealthy, including billionaires, centi-millionaires, and multi-millionaires. Join the UHNWI Direct platform and tap into a lucrative passive income stream by providing valuable data to those seeking high-net-worth connections. Start earning today with UHNWI Direct.

Apply to Join Affiliate Program

You may also be interested in reviewing other UHNWIs profiles.

To find the person you want to contact, start typing their name or other relevant tags in the search bar.

Please note: Our database contains over 10,000 direct contacts of UHNWIs, and it is highly likely that the individual you are seeking is already included. However, creating individual profiles for each contact is a meticulous and time-intensive process, So, if you are unable to find the profile of the individual you are looking for, please click here.

Filter by Net Worth: All | Billionaires | Centi-Millionaires | Multi-Millionaires

Filter by Age: 1920-1930 | 1930-1940 | 1940-1950 | 1950-1960 | 1960-1970 | 1970-1980 | 1980-1990 | 1990-2000

Filter by: Men | Women

Related People

UHNWI direct

Billionaire

Rick Smith | $1B+

Billionaire

Rick Smith, founder and CEO of Axon Enterprise, has spent more than three decades turning a garage startup into the dominant force in public safety technology. After launching the company in 1993, he expanded it far beyond TASER devices into body cameras, digital evidence software, and a broader mission-driven platform built around protecting life and, in his words, making bullets obsolete. With Axon now a central player in law enforcement technology, Smith has become one of the most consequential entrepreneurs in the intersection of hardware, software, and public safety.

Billionaire

Larry Culp | $1B+

Billionaire

Larry Culp, chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace, is one of American industry’s most closely watched turnaround leaders, credited with steering General Electric through its historic breakup and refocusing the business around aviation. After building his reputation at Danaher, he became the first outsider to run GE and led its transformation into three separate public companies, with GE Aerospace emerging as the crown jewel. Known for operational discipline and long-horizon strategy, Culp has reestablished himself as one of corporate America’s most influential industrial executives

Billionaire

Walter Wang | $1B+

Billionaire

Walter Wang, chairman and CEO of JM Eagle, built one of the world’s largest plastic pipe manufacturers by combining industrial scale, disciplined expansion, and a long-term infrastructure vision. After acquiring J-M Manufacturing in 2005 and later merging it with PW Eagle, Wang transformed the business into a dominant supplier of plastic pipe used in water, sewer, gas, and utility systems across North America. Known for a low-profile but ambitious leadership style, he has paired industrial growth with major philanthropic work in education, healthcare, and civic causes, making him one of the most prominent figures in modern infrastructure manufacturing.

Billionaire

Don Levin | $1B+

Billionaire

Donald R. Levin, founder of D.R.L. Enterprises, built a global rolling-paper empire by controlling nearly every layer of the supply chain—from paper mills and manufacturing to distribution and iconic consumer brands. Through D.R.L.’s Republic Brands unit, Levin amassed labels such as Zig-Zag, E-Z Wider, OCB, and JOB, turning a niche tobacco-adjacent business into a multibillion-dollar private enterprise. Known as the “king of rolling papers,” he paired low-profile operating discipline with vertical integration, extending his holdings into leasing, film production, and sports ownership, including the Chicago Wolves.

Billionaire

Nicholas Howley | $1B+

Billionaire

W. Nicholas Howley, cofounder and chairman of TransDigm, built one of the most successful aerospace-components companies of the modern era by focusing on highly engineered, proprietary aircraft parts with strong aftermarket economics. Since cofounding the company in 1993, Howley has helped guide TransDigm through decades of aggressive acquisition-led growth, turning a leveraged buyout of four underperforming units into a global aerospace supplier with a vast portfolio of mission-critical components. Known for disciplined capital allocation and a relentless focus on niche pricing power, he has become one of the most influential figures in aerospace manufacturing.

Billionaire

Tang Zhuang | $1B+

Billionaire

Tang Zhuang, director and deputy general manager of Maxscend Microelectronics, is part of the leadership team behind one of China’s most important RF chip companies. As Maxscend grew from a niche semiconductor designer into a major supplier of RF front-end components for smartphones and wireless devices, Tang helped shape its rise in switches, low-noise amplifiers, and filters used across leading consumer electronics supply chains. His profile reflects the broader emergence of China’s domestic semiconductor champions in strategically critical communications technologies.

Billionaire

YT Jia | $1B+

Billionaire

Jia Yueting, also known as YT Jia, is the Chinese entrepreneur behind LeEco and Faraday Future, whose career has been defined by outsized ambition, financial controversy, and repeated attempts at reinvention. After building LeEco into a high-profile consumer tech and streaming empire before its collapse, Jia shifted his focus to electric vehicles through Faraday Future, where he returned to a top leadership role as co-CEO in 2025. His profile remains unusually polarizing: to supporters, he is a visionary founder still chasing a breakthrough in premium EVs; to critics, he is a symbol of overreach and unresolved financial turmoil.

Billionaire

William Young | $1B+

Billionaire

William C. Young, founder of Plastipak, built one of the world’s largest privately held plastic packaging and recycling companies by focusing on engineering innovation, operational scale, and long-term family ownership. Since cofounding the business in 1967 with his parents, Young expanded Plastipak into a global supplier serving major food, beverage, and consumer products companies across dozens of facilities worldwide. Under his leadership, the company became a major force in PET packaging and bottle-to-bottle recycling, combining manufacturing scale with sustainability investment. Following his 2024 transition from the CEO role, Young continued as chairman while the company moved to its next generation of leadership.

Billionaire

Bill Austin | $1B+

Billionaire

Bill Austin, founder and CEO of Starkey Hearing Technologies, built one of the world’s largest privately held hearing aid manufacturers by combining medical innovation, global distribution, and a mission-driven approach to hearing health. Starting with a small hearing aid repair shop, Austin scaled Starkey into a major medical device company serving patients in more than 100 countries, while also pioneering philanthropic hearing initiatives through the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Known for blending entrepreneurship with humanitarian outreach, he has positioned Starkey at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and global access to treatment.

Billionaire

Steven Rales | $1B+

Billionaire

Steven Rales is the co-founder and chairman of Danaher Corporation, which he and his brother Mitchell transformed from a real estate trust into a global science and technology powerhouse. He is the architect of the Danaher Business System, a management philosophy rooted in Kaizen that emphasizes continuous improvement and has guided the acquisition of hundreds of companies in the life sciences and diagnostics sectors. Under his leadership, Danaher became one of the most successful industrial conglomerates in history, known for its disciplined capital allocation. In addition to his business career, Rales is a significant figure in the film industry as the founder of Indian Paintbrush, the production company behind nearly all of Wes Anderson’s films, and he recently acquired the Criterion Collection to ensure the preservation of classic cinema.

Billionaire

Shahid Khan | $10B+

Billionaire

Shahid Khan, the owner of Flex-N-Gate and the Jacksonville Jaguars, built a global automotive manufacturing empire starting with a single innovative bumper design. After immigrating from Pakistan, he transformed a small operation into a Tier 1 supplier for nearly every major carmaker in the world. His influence extends beyond the industrial sector into international sports as the owner of an NFL franchise and the English Premier League’s Fulham FC. Known for his engineering background and strategic acquisitions, Khan’s leadership has made him a defining figure in both the global supply chain and professional sports management, emphasizing long-term growth and operational excellence.

Billionaire

Todd Wanek | $1B+

Billionaire

Todd Wanek, president and CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries, has led the world’s largest home furnishings manufacturer through global expansion, vertical integration, and modernized supply chain execution. The son of founder Ronald Wanek, he helped scale Ashley’s manufacturing footprint, logistics capabilities, and retail partnerships, strengthening the company’s ability to deliver mass-market furniture at enormous volume. Known for operational intensity and disciplined leadership, Wanek has steered Ashley through shifting consumer demand, e-commerce disruption, and complex global sourcing challenges while keeping the business privately held and growth-focused.

Billionaire

Ronald Wanek | $1B+

Billionaire

Ronald Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, built the world’s largest home furnishings manufacturer by mastering scale production, vertical integration, and mass-market distribution. Starting the business in the 1970s, Wanek expanded Ashley into a global furniture powerhouse with manufacturing across the U.S. and internationally, supported by one of the largest retail networks in the industry. Known for operational discipline and private ownership focus, he turned furniture—a traditionally fragmented category—into an empire defined by efficiency and logistics strength.

Billionaire

Robert Pera | $10B+

Billionaire

Robert Pera, founder and CEO of Ubiquiti, built a multibillion-dollar networking equipment company by challenging traditional enterprise hardware economics with a lean, engineer-driven model. A former Apple engineer, Pera launched Ubiquiti to deliver high-performance wireless and networking products at disruptive price points, relying on community-driven marketing and minimal overhead rather than large sales forces. The company became a global supplier to internet service providers and businesses worldwide, while Pera maintained tight control and a low public profile. He is also known as the owner of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, blending technology entrepreneurship with high-profile sports ownership.

Billionaire

Robert Kraft | $10B+

Billionaire

Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group, built a diversified business empire spanning manufacturing, real estate, and sports, while becoming one of the most influential owners in professional football. Best known as owner of the New England Patriots, Kraft acquired the franchise in 1994 and oversaw its transformation into a modern dynasty, delivering multiple Super Bowl championships and setting standards for organizational excellence. Beyond sports, he has expanded holdings across packaging and paper, private development, and entertainment venues. Kraft is also a major philanthropist, supporting education, healthcare, and community initiatives across the U.S. and Israel.

Billionaire

RJ Scaringe | $1B+

Billionaire

RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian, is an engineer-entrepreneur building one of the most ambitious electric vehicle companies focused on trucks, SUVs, and commercial fleets. After earning a PhD from MIT, Scaringe founded Rivian with a vision to electrify adventure-oriented vehicles and scalable delivery platforms. Under his leadership, Rivian secured major backing from Amazon and other investors, launched its flagship R1T and R1S models, and positioned itself as a key player in the transition to electrified transportation. Known for technical depth and long-term product focus, Scaringe represents the new generation of American EV leadership.

Billionaire

Nicholas Woodman | $1B+

Billionaire

Nicholas Woodman, founder and CEO of GoPro, created one of the most recognizable consumer electronics brands by turning a simple idea—capturing action sports from the participant’s perspective—into a global media and hardware platform. After an early surfing trip inspired the original camera mount, Woodman built GoPro into a publicly traded company whose rugged cameras became synonymous with adventure, user-generated content, and immersive storytelling. Under his leadership, GoPro expanded beyond hardware into software, subscriptions, and content ecosystems, shaping how millions document and share experiences. Woodman’s entrepreneurial journey reflects persistence, product obsession, and the power of creator-driven media.

Billionaire

Mitchell Rales | $1B+

Billionaire

Mitchell Rales, cofounder of Danaher Corporation, is one of America’s most successful industrial builders, known for pairing disciplined capital allocation with a relentless focus on operational excellence. Alongside his brother Steven, Rales transformed Danaher from a small real estate company into a global science and technology conglomerate by pioneering the Danaher Business System, a management framework rooted in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing. After stepping back from day-to-day operations, Rales has remained an influential investor and philanthropist, supporting education, public policy, and cultural institutions through the Rales Foundation and Glenstone Museum.

Billionaire

Centi-Millionaire

Christian Dumolin | $100M+

Centi-Millionaire

Christian Dumolin, chairman and co-ceo of Koramic Investment Group, is one of Belgium’s most respected industrial and investment leaders, known for transforming a traditional brick-manufacturing company into a diversified European holding with interests spanning real estate, manufacturing, financial services, and private equity. After joining the family business in the 1970s, he led its international expansion, later steering Koramic into a broad investment platform focused on long-term value creation and operational excellence. Dumolin has served on numerous corporate boards, becoming a key figure in Belgium’s entrepreneurial landscape, while his philanthropic work in culture, education, and regional development underscores his influence beyond business.

Centi-Millionaire

Billionaire

Jim Jannard | $1B+

Billionaire

Jim Jannard, founder of Oakley and RED Digital Cinema, is a self-made billionaire whose innovations reshaped both the eyewear and filmmaking industries. Starting Oakley in 1975 with just $300, he revolutionized sports performance gear with proprietary materials and bold design, growing the brand into a global icon before selling it to Luxottica for over $2 billion. Never one to slow down, Jannard went on to disrupt Hollywood with RED Digital Cinema, introducing high-resolution digital cameras that transformed modern filmmaking. Known for his rebellious streak, obsession with engineering excellence, and aversion to the spotlight, Jannard remains one of America’s most influential product visionaries.

Billionaire

Isaac Larian | $1B+

Billionaire

Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, built one of the world’s largest privately held toy companies, best known for creating the global hit Bratz dolls and, more recently, the L.O.L. Surprise! franchise. An Iranian-born immigrant, Larian started with a small import business before transforming it into a multibillion-dollar toy empire that competes with industry giants like Mattel and Hasbro. Known for his bold marketing strategies and willingness to take creative risks, he has made MGA a dominant force in the global toy market while also engaging in philanthropy and outspoken advocacy on industry issues.

Billionaire

Ira Rennert | $1B+

Billionaire

Ira Rennert, billionaire industrialist, is the founder of Renco Group, a private holding company with investments in mining, metals, manufacturing, and defense. Starting in the 1970s with junk bonds, he expanded into heavy industry, building a diversified empire that has included steel, magnesium, and automotive companies. Known for his controversial business practices as well as his immense wealth, Rennert also drew attention for constructing one of the largest private homes in the United States, the 62,000-square-foot Fair Field estate in the Hamptons. Despite criticism, he remains a powerful and enduring figure in American industry and finance.

Billionaire

Herbert Wertheim | $1B+

Billionaire

Herbert Wertheim, optometrist, inventor, and investor, built his fortune through a mix of innovation in vision care and shrewd long-term investing. Founder of Brain Power Inc., he developed tints and protective coatings for eyeglass lenses that became widely adopted in the optical industry. Beyond his business, Wertheim amassed a multibillion-dollar portfolio by investing early in companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Intel, often reinvesting dividends over decades. A noted philanthropist, he has pledged much of his wealth to education, science, and medical research, cementing his legacy as both a pioneer and a benefactor.

Billionaire

Geeta Gupta-Fisker | $1B+

Billionaire

Geeta Gupta-Fisker, cofounder, CFO, and COO of Fisker Inc., has played a pivotal role in shaping the electric vehicle company’s financial and operational strategy. With a background in investment management and healthcare finance, she has combined disciplined capital allocation with a vision for sustainable innovation. Alongside her husband, Henrik Fisker, she has helped position the company as a challenger in the EV space, driving the launch of models like the Fisker Ocean while focusing on affordability, design, and environmental impact. Gupta-Fisker is recognized for her leadership in both corporate governance and advancing women in business and technology.

Billionaire

Henrik Fisker | $1B+

Billionaire

Henrik Fisker, Danish-born automotive designer and entrepreneur, is best known for creating some of the world’s most iconic luxury cars and for founding Fisker Inc., an electric vehicle manufacturer. After a celebrated design career at BMW and Aston Martin—where he shaped models like the BMW Z8 and Aston Martin DB9—he launched his own ventures to blend sustainability with high design. Although his first company, Fisker Automotive, faced setbacks, he returned with Fisker Inc., focusing on stylish, affordable EVs like the Fisker Ocean. Renowned for bold creativity and resilience, Fisker remains a leading figure in the push toward sustainable mobility.

Billionaire

Gary Friedman | $1B+

Billionaire

Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO of RH (formerly Restoration Hardware), transformed the home furnishings retailer into a high-end lifestyle brand synonymous with luxury design. Since taking the helm in 2001, he has repositioned the company through bold merchandising, exclusive collections, and immersive gallery spaces that blend retail, hospitality, and experience. Under his leadership, RH’s market value has soared, redefining the intersection of home décor and aspirational living while establishing Friedman as one of retail’s most innovative and uncompromising leaders.

Billionaire

Frank Laukien | $1B+

Billionaire

Frank Laukien, chairman, president, and CEO of Bruker Corporation, has built the scientific instruments maker into a global leader in analytical and diagnostic solutions. Taking the helm of the company founded by his father, Laukien expanded its product portfolio across life sciences, materials research, and industrial applications, serving top research institutions and laboratories worldwide. A physicist by training, he has guided Bruker’s growth through innovation-driven acquisitions and a focus on precision technologies, securing its reputation as a critical partner in advancing scientific discovery.

Billionaire

Fisk Johnson | $1B+

Billionaire

Herbert Fisk “Fisk” Johnson III is the fifth-generation leader of S. C. Johnson, the iconic cleaning‑products company founded in 1886. A Cornell alumnus with multiple degrees (BA, MEng, MS, MBA, PhD), he joined the family business in 1987 and became CEO in 2004. Known for his environmental advocacy and scientific approach, Johnson champions sustainable packaging and pulled SC Johnson into the fight against plastic waste.

Billionaire

Donald Friese | $1B+

Billionaire

Donald E. “Don” Friese rose from an orphanage in rural Pennsylvania to become a self-made billionaire. He joined C.R. Laurence in 1961 as a warehouse worker, bought full ownership by the 1990s, and grew it into the largest glazing‑supplies company in the U.S. He sold the business in 2015 for $1.3 billion while personally gifting more than $86 million in bonuses to employees and remains active philanthropically through the Friese Foundation.

Billionaire

Dean Solon | $1B+

Billionaire

Dean Solon is a self‑made billionaire and founder of Shoals Technologies Group, a leading provider of electrical balance-of-systems gear for solar farms. He took Shoals public in January 2021 and still owns about 40% of the company. Despite the IPO windfall, Solon remains hands‑on—recently launching Create Energy, a vertically integrated solar manufacturing venture aimed at reshaping the industry with U.S.-based production.

Billionaire

Marketing Tools

Essential marketing tools to effectively engage wealthy individuals, tailored to meet any personal, marketing, or sales objectives.

Use tags below for more precise targeting.

UHNWI data https://www.uhnwidata.com/

Donald Friese | $1B+

Join UHNWI direct Affiliate Program

Earn Passive Income by Sharing Verified Contact Information of Billionaires, Centi-Millionaires, and Multi-Millionaires on the UHNWI Direct Platform

You may also be interested in reviewing other UHNWIs profiles.

Related People

Marketing Tools

Essential marketing tools to effectively engage wealthy individuals, tailored to meet any personal, marketing, or sales objectives.

Use tags below for more precise targeting.

Douglas Leone | $1B+

Bubba Cathy | $10B+