The business philosophy of the benefactor of the William Davidson Institute could be summed up in a single phrase: “It can be done.” This optimistic, tough- minded sentiment is what helped Davidson take a struggling, family-owned windshield manufacturer and turn it into one of the largest glass-making businesses in the world. It also was the thinking that guided him in his philanthropic work and as the owner of multiple successful sports franchises. William “Bill” Morse Davidson was born Dec. 5, 1922, in northwest Detroit. He attended Detroit public schools, graduating from Central High School in 1940. He enrolled in the University of Michigan, where he became a business major and a member of the track team. Then World War II and service in the U.S. Navy interrupted his studies. After the war was over, he finished his business degree at U-M, followed by a J.D. at Wayne State University’s Law School. He practiced law for three years, specializing in helping companies restructure from bankruptcy. Then, in 1957, he was asked to take over the family’s Guardian Glass Co., the forerunner of what would become Guardian Industries. A Forward-Looking Businessman “It was a small, struggling family business,” explained Ralph Gerson, Davidson’s nephew and a senior executive at the company. “He had vision, and was willing to take some risks to grow. He was careful, but not conservative. He definitely wanted to see his business expand significantly. “We went into some countries — Hungary before the [Berlin] wall came down, India very early — a number of places that were high risk,” he said. “But if you could succeed, you could do extremely well there, which we did.” Gerson, who worked alongside Davidson for 21 years, marveled at his uncle’s discipline. Davidson had an agenda of what he needed to accomplish each day and didn’t stray from it. “If it wasn’t on his agenda, he would say ‘You decide’ or ‘You handle it,’” Gerson said. “He knew what he wanted to focus on and he stuck to it.” B. Joseph White, who was dean of what is now the Ross School of Business when WDI was established, got to know the executive well during this time and would often ask about the glass business. White learned about a tough industry with massive capital costs, high fixed costs and an uncontrollable pricing structure. He came away with a greater appreciation for Davidson. “I’ve met a lot of business people, a lot of entrepreneurs,” White said. “But I’ve never met an individual who took that kind of risk in building a business. I thought to myself, ‘This man has guts.’ And that turned out to be consistently true. In 1997, Davidson was honored for his philanthropy by the Council of Michigan Foundations, and also named one of America’s most generous donors by The New York Times. Ralph Gerson An Inspiring Leader 25th Anniversary 9