Three C?s.
Canadian, chemist and chief executive officer.
That describes Robert Lawless, CEO of McCormick & Co., a job he?s had since 1997. McCormick is a global spice company started in 1889 in Baltimore by 25-year-old Willoughby M. McCormick in one room and a cellar and a staff of two girls and a boy.
But those three C?s for Lawless have nothing to do with being average.
In addition to heading a company with about 8,000 employees in the United States and far flung places such as the Netherlands, China and France, Lawless is an active board member for several groups and organizations as well several corporate boards including Constellation Energy and Baltimore Life.
Lawless said the key is communication and finding the right people.
“You must have a people-centered culture,” Lawless said.
But he added, “you?ve got to be able to make the tough decisions quickly.”
And Lawless has had his share of tough decisions.
In January, Lawless announced that McCormick was closing a plant in Salinas, Calif., costing 400 jobs, and a condiment plant in Sparks with about 100 workers. But many of the 100 workers will likely transfer to other McCormick facilities in Maryland.
Details of the restructuring plan were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Lawless is also chairman of the board at the Baltimore-based Kennedy Krieger Institute.
“He is a tireless board member,” said Lainy LeBow-Sachs, senior vice president of external relations for Kennedy Krieger.
“He is very careful about what boards he joins, and he is a workaholic,” LeBow-Sachs said.
She said she admires his travel schedule. He frequently takes business trips throughout the week, and his wife of 37 years typically joins him. “He?ll go to China for lunch,” LeBow-Sachs joked.
When not traveling, Lawless, makes a point of getting home in time for dinner.
“Fridays are sacred,” he said.
But his obsession is golf.
Lawless has played with Tiger Woods and regularly tees off with many top Maryland corporate executives, including Chip Mason, CEO of Legg Mason, and Mayo Shattuck III, CEO of Constellation Energy.
But there is one thing that Lawless said he has to deal with as a CEO.
“It?s lonely. There is not a lot of people I can discuss personnel matters with,” Lawless said.
ROBERT LAWLESS
» First job: Technical Representative
» Education/Credentials: Chemistry
» Best job perk: Meeting with our people
» How many e-mails do you get every day? 25
» How many voice mails do you get every day? 10
» What are the most essential Web sites that you visit regularly? None
» What is your career objective? To keep McCormick performing well and independent
» What?s you favorite gadget? My BlackBerry
» What is your hometown? Guelph, Ontario, Canada
» Birthdate: Dec. 4, 1946
» What was your original aspiration? Professional hockey player
» Sports/hobbies: Enjoys all sports ? hockey, golf, skiing, water sports
» Enjoys reading: John Grisham
