Don Hankey: A Legendary Journey

Overview

Don Hankey is a billionaire businessman and philanthropist who is best known for being the founder and chairman of the Hankey Group. He is also one of the largest shareholders of the subprime auto lender, Westlake Financial Services.

Hankey has a net worth of $2.9 billion, according to Forbes. He is known for his generous charitable donations, particularly towards education and healthcare organizations.

Early Life and Education

Don Hankey was born on August 2, 1941, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a middle-class family and attended public schools in the area.

After completing high school, Hankey attended Los Angeles Pierce College and then transferred to California State University, Los Angeles. He graduated in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Career and Achievements

Hankey began his career as a loan officer at a credit union in Los Angeles. In the 1970s, he founded a finance company that specialized in lending to people with poor credit. He later sold that company and founded the Hankey Group in 1982.

The Hankey Group is a privately held investment company that has holdings in a variety of industries, including real estate, finance, and insurance. Hankey has been the chairman and CEO of the company since its inception.

In the 1990s, the Hankey Group began investing in the subprime auto lending market. The company acquired Westlake Financial Services in 1998 and has since become one of the largest players in the industry.

Hankey has received many honors and awards for his business achievements and philanthropic work. In 2015, he was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

Personal Life

Don Hankey is married and has two children. He is known for his philanthropic work and has donated millions of dollars to various organizations, including the University of Southern California, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

In addition to his business and philanthropic endeavors, Hankey is an avid car collector and has a large collection of classic and exotic vehicles.

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