From the Editor

  • Jimmy Rane is founder and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving, which makes decks, fences and other treated lumber products.
  • Rane is better known as "the Yella Fella," his cowboy alter-ego who appeared in his company's TV commercials.
  • He and his brother transformed the family's $22,000 (1971 sales) backyard treating plant into a company with nearly $2 billion in annual sales.
  • Rane started the Jimmy Rane Foundation in 2000, which has since awarded more than 620 partial college scholarships.
Wealth History
HOVER TO REVEAL NET WORTH BY YEAR
Personal Stats
Age
79
Source of Wealth
Lumber, Self Made
Residence
Abbeville, Alabama
Citizenship
United States
Marital Status
Married
Children
3
Education
Bachelor of Arts/Science, Auburn University; Doctor of Jurisprudence, Samford University
Did you know
Rane came up with the idea to advertise via short western films after reading about how Frank Perdue branded his chicken.
He ran the company as a small side business for years while working as a lawyer, before eventually turning to it full-time.
In Their Own Words

I will hire somebody with character and integrity every single time over somebody who is brilliant.

Jimmy Rane
Related People & Companies
Corey Savoie
Corey Savoie
Related by education: Auburn University
View Profile
Karl Hedin
Karl Hedin
Related by origin of wealth: Lumber
View Profile
Mike McCarthy
Mike McCarthy
Related by education: Auburn University
View Profile
Mohamed Mansour
Mohamed Mansour
Related by education: Auburn University
View Profile

More on Forbes