William Nelson McCoy Born April 11

William Nelson McCoy
Born April 11. 1924
Zanesville, OH

I was educated in local schools, and completed high school at Western Reserve Academy. After 3 years in the Air Force as a pilot, I returned to University of Michigan and graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Business Degree.

Having been lucky to be born to a family with both father and grand father owning potteries, I started work at The Nelson McCoy Pottery with in a week. My first job was scheduling production of ware and moulds. After the fire in 1950 I added on purchasing and lots of learning from Nelson Melick. Unfortunately he died at age 54 and I became the chief operating executive till 1981. In the early years of my operation we concentrated on cookie jars, novelty

planters, artificial flower dishes, flower pots, and kitchen ware. By 1961 the plant was down to 165 people so I went into the brown drip dinner ware business. This led to production of casual dinner ware sold to the chain, grocery and department stores. By 1980 we were J.C. Penny largest supplier of casual dinnerware, and we had 500 employees.

In 1970 I decided to go into direct selling an exclusive line for the retail florist trade. Since there are 15,000 retail florist the line continued past my retirement in 1981.

My philosophy in business was to hire excellent managers, foremen, engineers, and consultants. Then I listened and observed by spending at least two or three hours in the plant every day. We had great employees that were skilled as well as devoted. At one seniority outing 25% of the people had been working for me over 25 years.

I have a wonderful wife Billie who has helped me over 55 years to enjoy our lives together, our children and grand children.---the other side of working—Seems impossible now but I also enjoyed thirty plus years serving on two bank boards, hospital board, church board, and played golf.