Early Life
Donald Friese was born on October 3, 1940, in York, Pennsylvania, as the third of 13 siblings. His upbringing was marked by modest beginnings. After graduating from high school in 1958, Friese joined the U.S. Army and served for three years, training as a missile mechanic.
Rise to Success
Following his military service, Friese moved to Los Angeles with just $125 in his pocket. He started his career at C.R. Laurence as the sixth employee. Through hard work and dedication, he gradually acquired ownership of the company from Bernie Harris, culminating in buying out Harris in 1997. Under Friese's leadership, C.R. Laurence became a leading manufacturer and distributor in the glass industry, offering over 65,000 products by 2015. In 2015, Friese sold the company to CRH plc for $1.3 billion, netting approximately $885 million.
Key Business Strategies
Friese's key strategies included acquiring competitors and expanding C.R. Laurence's product line. He focused on building strong customer relationships and providing excellent service. These efforts led to significant growth and ultimately, the successful sale of the company.
Philanthropy
After selling C.R. Laurence, Friese and his son DJ established the Friese Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to philanthropy. The foundation supports a variety of causes, including health care, veterans, animal welfare, and youth education. In 2021, the Friese Family Foundation gave $50 million for a new hospital tower at Providence Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Tarzana.