John W. Rollins

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John W. Rollins
In office
January 20, 1953 – January 15, 1957
Preceded by Alexis I. du Pont Bayard
Succeeded by David P. Buckson
Born August 24, 1916(1916-08-24)
Keith, Catoosa County, Georgia
Died April 4, 2000 (aged 83)
Greenville, Delaware
Political party Republican
Spouse Kitty
Linda
Michele
Residence Greenville, Delaware
Occupation businessman
Religion United Methodist

John W. Rollins (August 24, 1916 – April 4, 2000) was an American businessman and politician from Greenville, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, and served as Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.

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[edit] Early life and family

John W. Rollins was born August 24, 1916 in Keith, Catoosa County, Georgia. He attended school in a one-room schoolhouse nine miles away in Ringgold, Georgia. In 1928, Rollins’s father fell ill and the 12 year old boy accepted additional responsibilities on the family farm. He was married three times, to Kitty, Linda, and Michele, and had ten children including John W., Jr., Michele, Monique, Michael and Marc.

[edit] Professional career

After World War II, Rollins and his wife Kitty moved to Lewes, Delaware where he opened a Ford dealership. Rollins aggressively expanded his business by buying other dealerships in Maryland and Virginia. During this time, he also began to pioneer of the concept of leasing automobiles.

In 1947, Rollins’ older brother, O. Wayne Rollins (after whom the Rollins School of Public Health is named), joined him and his business in Delaware. The following year, the brothers founded Rollins Broadcasting and bought 1460 WRAD, an AM radio station based in the rural town of Radford, Virginia. As television continued to intrude on the traditional radio market, Rollins Broadcasting took advantage of falling radio station prices by increasing its holdings and launching programming targeted toward African-Americans. Rollins then developed a coordinated approach to advertising by buying billboards that allowed him to offer clients multiple advertising venues for their products. In 1956, Rollins Broadcasting expanded its business into television.

In 1961 John and Wayne Rollins took their company public. Over then next three years, annual profits from the company would exceed $9 million. In 1964, they used the proceeds of their public offering to orchestrate the $60 million leveraged buyout of the Atlanta-based Orkin Exterminating Company. Due to the constantly diversifying interests of the business, the company was renamed Rollins, Inc. By 1967, stock in the company was trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

In 1963, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans honored Rollins’ rise from humble roots to preeminence in the world of business with their Horatio Alger Award. By 1984, the interests of Rollins, Inc. had become so diverse that the company spun off two new companies, Rollins Communications and RPC Energy Services, Inc., both of which were traded on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2001, Rollins Truck Leasing Corp. was sold to Penske Truck Leasing for roughly $754 million.

[edit] Political career

Due to his roots in the business community, Rollins became interested in Delaware’s Republican Party. He worked as a fundraiser for Republicans running for local, state, and federal office in Delaware and beyond. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Delaware in 1952, defeating Democrat Vernon B. Derrickson of Kent County, and served from January 20, 1953 to January 15, 1957. In 1956, Rollins was an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention that nominated President Dwight D. Eisenhower for reelection.

In the 1960 elections, Rollins ran for Governor of Delaware and defeated his primary opponent, incumbent Lieutenant Governor David P. Buckson. However, he was defeated in the general election by Democrat Elbert N. Carvel, a former Governor of Delaware.

[edit] Philanthropy

In addition to his leadership in business and politics, Rollins became one of the principal philanthropists in Delaware. In addition to contributing to multiple charities, he created the John W. Rollins Foundation, rated in 1999 to be one of the 50 largest charitable organizations in Delaware. He sponsored the John W. Rollins, Sr. Award for healthcare philanthropy. He was a benefactor of the University of Delaware, despite never having attended the school himself.

[edit] Death

Rollins died April 4, 2000 in Greenville, Delaware. There is a portrait of him hanging at Legislative Hall in the state capitol of Dover.

[edit] Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. The Lieutenant Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four year term.

Public Offices
Office Type Location Elected Term began Term ended notes
Lt. Governor Executive Dover 1952 January 20, 1953 January 15, 1957


Election results
Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1952 Lt. Governor John W. Rollins Republican 86,622 51% Vernon B. Derrickson Democratic 83,300 49%
1960 Governor John W. Rollins Republican 94,043 48% Elbert N. Carvel Democratic 100,792 52%

[edit] References

  • Cohen, Celia (2002). Only in Delaware, Politics and Politicians in the First State. Newark, Delaware: Grapevine Publishing. 
  • John W. Rollins
  • John W. Rollins

[edit] External links

[edit] Places with more information


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Government of Delaware