Spine thickness?? - Delaware North

8
Jerry Jacobs Jr.
Principal
Jerry Jacobs Jr. is a principal of Delaware North
Companies, a vantage point he shares with his
two brothers, Lou and Charlie. Together the trio
represents the next generation of Jacobses to play
hands-on roles in the management and guidance
of one of the largest family-owned businesses in
the world.
In his current executive role, Jacobs and his
two brothers bear primary responsibility for the
long-term strategic direction of Delaware North
and its six operating companies. He pinpoints
attractive mergers and acquisition candidates,
works with financial institutions to develop and
implement overall business strategy and positions
the company in emerging markets.
While Jacobs’ focus is Delaware North’s future, he
believes in mining the company’s rich past for the
lessons it offers. He credits his grandfather, Louis
“LM” Jacobs, with laying a foundation that has
stood the test of time.
“LM was a great operator and knew his business
inside out,” he says. “He also grasped the value of
cultivating relationships for the long term. I think
he was the first to recognize that baseball was really
a brotherhood. That the team owners were a
tightly knit group of people. How you treated one
affected your relationship with all the others.”
The focus on strong relationships, says Jacobs,
distinguishes Delaware North from many of its
public-company competitors.
“I can’t tell you how powerful it is to be able to
tell a customer, ‘Call me anytime – evenings,
weekends – if you have a problem,’” says Jacobs.
“Most companies can’t offer that level of access.
My customers know that I’m a principal in this
business. I’m not going anywhere. That has
special meaning in the sports community where
private owners want to meet you and know you’re
going to be there when they need you.”
Jacobs began his career with Delaware North while
he was still in high school, rotating through jobs
that gave him a taste of each of the company’s
areas of operation. One summer stint involved
the Melody Top Theatre in Milwaukee during his
sophomore year in college.