Guardian CEO Wins Multiple National Sports Titles

What do running a glass company and winning multiple pro sports titles have in common? Both have been done by William Davidson, president and chief executive officer of Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Guardian Industries, who also owns the Detroit Pistons (NBA), Detroit Shock (WNBA) and Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL). Davidson is the first team owner to win championships in different sports in the same year.

Over a two-week timeframe, the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup and the Detroit Pistons won the NBA's Lawrence O'Brien Trophy for the NBA title. The teams join Davidson's WNBA defending champions, the Detroit Shock, in his sports stable.

"These victories are a tribute to the talent and work ethic of our players, our coaching staff and the organization that supports them," said Davidson. "Everyone worked together unselfishly in a total team effort."

Davidson applies the same philosophy in sports that he does in manufacturing: hire talented, hard-working people and trust them to take risks that deliver rewards.


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