Abbeville’s Jimmy Rane has been heralded as the richest man in Alabama. Indeed, his wealth status has been documented in the business bible Forbes Magazine. He is a legitimate billionaire.
Forbes estimates his net worth at $1.2 billion. Jimmy is the only billionaire I have ever met.
However, you would never know he was a mega wealthy Forbes Magazine businessman. He is as down to earth as an old shoe. To talk with him is like visiting with your lifetime cousin, who lived down the road.
He is as humble as the day he was born, 77 years ago. He not only remains humble but is one of the most benevolent and kind men in Alabama. His benevolence and philanthropic endeavors are incomparable in the annals of Alabama history.
Rane grew up and still lives in Abbeville. He is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Great Southern Wood Preserving Company. It is the largest pressure treated lumber producer in the world.
Rane has elected to keep the company headquarters in his hometown of Abbeville, Alabama, a city of 2,000 in Henry County. There is no question that he loves his hometown of Abbeville. His father, Mr.
Tony, was the son of Italian immigrants. Tony Rane was stationed at Fort Rucker as a military man in World War II. He met and married a beautiful Wiregrass girl, Libba, whose family had lived in Abbeville for more than 200 years.
Jimmy’s parents settled in Abbeville and his father was successful owning several restaurants and a hotel. It is obvious that Jimmy a.