2 minute read
Horatio Alger award to Merlo
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The Merchant Magazine thlrt iri: !()lri)cn\lti(,n be tic-rl to tltc Ict'lornrlrltr'c ot' tirc i()l.ttIiut\ hc rLr lrs. s() llrlrl lrc bcnclits onll *lrcn lhc stockholrlers hencl'it rr: ricll
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I- o r-r i si a n a- Paci f'ic ('orp.. has becn nlnrecl a w'inner ot'thc I980 ilorrtio Alger lr,lurcl. accorcling to Dr. \ornrln \"inccrrt Pcalc. gcneral chrrirnran ot-thc iloratio ..\lgcr Auurcls ('onrnrittcc. The awrrrcl has bccn prese ntecl cverl, -v-eilr sirrce 1947 to lllL-lt arttl \\'OntCn $h() hlrrC lrt hier ctl otttstttntlrrtg rl.tr'f C:S in
\lcrlo.5-5. has bccn prcsirlcnt ol' [.oLtisirrnrr-Prrciflc sinec thc conrl)illr!' \\irs lirr-rnclcil in 19i-j llc lssunrccl chrrirnrrrnshrI ol the conrpln) as u cll in 197-1 anrl has lcrl thc colrpaltv l'ront initial sllcs of'S272 nrillion ro 1979 salcs *hich crcce-clcd 1.-l hillion.
,\ccorcling to il sLir\ cl concluctcrl br /'olbc.s ,\laqa:ine, N{c'rlo was in 1978 thc highcst puirl corporiltLCXccLltive in thc Unitccl Strrlc-s rirth total contpcrtslrtior-r of' nrorc thln S3.,1 nrillion. Irorbcs r.rot.(l that thc greirle\t shlrrt' r'l lhlrt eotttlrettslrtiotl rras ir.r the l'ornr ol' stock ol)tions at N{crlo's o\\'r.r rcqLrcst. l\'lcrlo lrskecl
In thc |irtle r'n ol r| tr.rtlr -\tllattr,ln il!i'tiir.'tr. \lcri| $.r: iroltl lrl rnrnrigrlint plrlenl: .lrr:r'plt lLttri ( lotilclc \lcrlo rnrnrigrlrtcrl f'r'orrr Itrrlr in thc clrrlr' 1900s rrrtti ri r'rc struggling to nrrrkc cr.trl: nr.'.'l itt Stirling C'itr. ( r . .t :nrrrll ILrnrbcr col| plln\ ttrri n. $ l.tcr.t I lrtrrl $ rts born in 192-5. orrc o1' sir chrltlrcn. Joscph ir'orkctl in the lLrmhcr nrill. u.ith ('lotilclu- rrrrtl thc chilci ru-n opcrrrtirrg ol-r!- ol'thr- lanrilr's tltrcc rcntc(l e.rbins us lr boarclirts housc. Clussnlrtr--s clc-scrihc hou Ilrrrtr nu.r a rlilc l'r'onr granrrlur scl.tool crrch noolt t() sL-r\e lunch lo thc b()irrclars. u rrsh dishcs imd clcinr thc stovc. llrrrrv lclrnctl lessotrs ot L-ncrg\. Iovllt-"-. coLlfirgL- ltntl prttlu. ls thc llnrilv strugglcrl lirr l pllcc in tlrc- conrrrunitr.
\{erlo ol't,--n qu()tL-\ his nrolhcr's philosophr that c()lrlrott sensc rtnrl courage are the two key elements to success, one does no good without the other. "Mama" also taught Harry to waste nothing. When the family ate apricots, they cracked the
Sfory at a Glance
Louisiana-Pacific's chairman and president is honored as a winner of the prestigious Horatio Alger Award for his outstanding business success despite humble beginnings.
pits, ate the seeds. then burned the shells for fuel. a lesson evident in L-P's conrplete utilization of every tree harvested.
Growing up in a lumber town, it was natural that Merlo began working in the woods and the nrill at an early age. It became his life. Even today. many say he's nrore at honre in a sawnrill than in his office.
Merlo worked his way through the University of California at Berkeley. Upon graduation he went to work as a shipping clerk for Rounds Lunrber Co. in Cloverdale, Ca.. rose to assistant manager, ultimately buying into the contpany and beconring general nlanager. When the company becanre a cont- petitive force in the nrarket, Georgia-Pacific Corp. purchased Rounds in 1967 to bring Merlo to G-P as v.p.
At the helnr of L-P Merlo verbalized his lifelong belief in the power of the individual by launching the L-P daily credo, "Yes We Can.t". This expression is Merlo's reminder of how much power we have as individuals and how that power can be used - on the job, in the community and our country. "Yes lUe Can.t"is also a reflection of Merlo's belief in the private enterprise systenr and the people who nrake it work.
Merlo was slated to receive his award at a special ceremony May 16. at the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Honored along with Merlo will be W. Michael Blunrenthal. vice chairnran, Burroughs Corp.l Joe Bruno, chairnran of the board. Bruno's Food Stores: Woodrow W. Clenrents. chairnran and chief executive officer. Dr. Pepper Co.: Thonras S. Haggai. president and
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