Michael Krasny (businessman)
Michael Krasny | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1952/1953 (age 68–69)[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Illinois |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of CDW Corporation |
| Spouse(s) | Married |
| Children | 1 |
Michael Krasny (born 1953) is an American billionaire businessman from Illinois. He is the founder and former chief executive officer of CDW Corporation, a direct seller of technical gadgets including computers and networking equipment.
Early life[]
Krasny grew up in a Jewish family[2][3] in Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business in 1975.[1]
He worked as a Toyota car salesman at his father's auto dealership in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In 1981, he quit his job as a car salesman and took some classes in computer programming but being unsuccessful in finding steady work, Krasny was forced to sell his own computer for cash. He placed a $3 ad in the Chicago Tribune and ended up selling his computer for a $200 profit.[3]
Career and retirement[]
Seeing the great demand for computers, Krasny began buying computers to resell them eventually forming MPK Computers. A year later he changed the name to Computer Discount Warehouse (CDW) and steadily grew the business. In 1993, he took CDW public.[3] Krasny retired in 2007 after selling the company to Madison Dearborn Partners for $7.3 billion.[1]
According to Forbes, his first caller from 1982 was still a customer as of 2000.[1]
Since 2009, as a hobby, Krasny has operated a woodworking shop in Northbrook, Illinois called Custom Woodworking Design, making plaques and awards.[3]
Personal life[]
Krasny is married, with one child, and they live in Highland Park, Illinois.[1]
References[]
- ^ a b c d e "Forbes profile: Michael Krasny". Forbes. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ^ Jewish Telegraph Agency: "At least 139 of the Forbes 400 are Jewish" By Jacob Berkman October 5, 2009
- ^ a b c d CRN: "Michael Krasny – IT Sales Innovator" by Jeff O'Heir Archived September 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine November 13, 2002
- Living people
- American automobile salespeople
- American retail chief executives
- Gies College of Business alumni
- 20th-century American Jews
- American billionaires
- People from Highland Park, Illinois
- 1950s births
- 21st-century American Jews