#2661
Jimmy Rane
Overview
- Source of Wealth
- Lumber
- Industry
- Manufacturing
- Residence
- Abbeville, Alabama
- Education
- Auburn University (Bachelor of Arts/Science)Samford University (Doctor of Jurisprudence)
- Marital Status
- Married
- Children
- 3
Biography
Jimmy Rane is founder and chairman of Great Southern Wood Preserving, which makes decks, fences and other treated lumber products.
Rane is better known as "the Yella Fella," his cowboy alter-ego who appeared in his company's TV commercials.
He and his brother transformed the family's $22,000 (1971 sales) backyard treating plant into a company with nearly $2 billion in annual sales.
Rane served as CEO for more than half a century before retiring from the top job in 2025.
About
Rane came up with the idea to advertise via short western films after reading about how Frank Perdue branded his chicken.
He ran the company as a small side business for years while working as a lawyer, before eventually turning to it full-time.