Black Enterprise magazine announced today the inclusion of two of McDonald’s® African American executives, Don Thompson and William Lamar Jr., among its “75 Most Powerful Blacks In Corporate America.” The recognition marks the first time in the seventeen-year history of the annual listing that McDonald’s had two of its executives recognized.

“The entire McDonald’s system takes pride in the outstanding contributions that Don Thompson and Bill Lamar have delivered,” says Reggie Webb, McDonald’s owner/operator and Chair of the National Leadership Council, a franchisee advisory council, representing all of McDonald’s U.S. franchises. “The recognition is not only well-deserved, but is personally meaningful to me, and all of McDonald’s African American owner/operators, executives, and suppliers.”

Black Enterprise magazine, the authority for African American business markets and leaders, releases its inaugural list of top black corporate executives as the cover feature for its February issue. The February 2005 issue recognizes African Americans who are in the position of chief executive officer, or who were significantly responsible for generating revenue for a major corporation, with a large influence on his or her respective industry. McDonald’s was one of the few companies featured to have more than one executive included in the ranking.

Don Thompson is executive vice-president and Innovation Orchestration Leader, Restaurant Solutions Group, McDonald’s Corporation. Beginning his career with McDonald’s in 1990, as a restaurant systems engineer, Don is responsible for new menu innovations in 120 countries. He is also responsible for providing system leadership to identify growth opportunities for the McDonald’s brand.

William “Bill” Lamar, Jr., senior vice-president and chief marketing officer, McDonald’s USA, oversees all U.S. marketing efforts for McDonald’s 13,000-plus restaurants. Prior to assuming his role as chief marketing officer, he served as general manager and regional vice-president for McDonald’s Atlanta Region, responsible for over 700 restaurants covering Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and portions of North Carolina and Tennessee.