Lindner business legacy is jobs for Cincinnati

CINCINNATI - Business and political leaders Tuesday remembered Carl Lindner, Jr., as a one-man economic development department.

During his decades as a Cincinnati businessman, Lindner built United Dairy Farmers, owned and moved Chiquita, Penn Central and Great American Insurance to Cincinnati and once owned the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Enquirer, Provident Bank and Kings Island.

“I don’t think there’s anybody in the history of our city or anybody likely in the future to bring that many kind of jobs to the city and that many different companies,” said Towne Properties founder Neil Bortz.

Bortz first met Lindner in the 1960’s when he was trying to secure financing for Towne Properties to begin redeveloping Mount Adams.

Lindner was among the first lenders to step up to the plate and provide the early loans to make the project a reality.

“Carl did see the potential,” said Bortz. “I think he loved Mt. Adams about as much as we did.”

“There was nobody quite like him – nobody,” said former Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken.

Luken recalled Lindner as a good advisor, who just wanted to help the city. He cited one example in the 1980s when many downtown firms were considering moving to the suburbs.

“Lindner called me over and he’d say, ‘You know, they want me to move all my people,’” Luken said. “After a while he just looked at me and said, ‘Nah, I’m staying.’”

“Had he gone in the '80s there’s no telling how many large corporate headquarters would have followed him,” Luken added. “That’s just the way he was. He led by example.”

That same spirit paved the way for construction of the new Queen City Square tiara-topped tower which houses Great American Insurance. It was dedicated in January.

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory said the building exemplifies Lindner’s love of the Queen City.

“Carl Lindner was all about Cincinnati,” said the Mayor. “He obviously understood the power of his influence and the power of his money and he used that to make Cincinnati a better place.”

Lindner’s quiet demeanor masked a shrewd, smart businessman who surrounded himself with very good people.

“Obviously, you don’t get to be a billionaire and not be a tough guy. Carl Lindner was a tough guy,” said Mallory. “He was mild-mannered. He was soft-spoken. But, when it came to business he knew how to get things done.”

That was evident in the 1990s when a Cincinnati Enquirer reporter hacked into Chiquita’s phone system and used material obtained for a story accusing the firm of corruption.

Lindner fought back and won a front page apology from the newspaper.

That sort of toughness was viewed as evidence of a determined and focused leader, according to Dr. David Szymanski, Dean of the Carl H. Lindner College of Business at the University of Cincinnati.

The newly named college was dedicated in June.

“He surrounded himself with people who were committed to excellence and I think that’s the key,” said Szymanski. “He was going to overcome any adversity that was in front of him.”

The last time Lindner was at the college was a week ago for a celebration center with family, faculty and students.

“He was really happy. He was really engaged. He was very gracious. He was really proud to be there,” said Dean Szymanski. “He got an opportunity to spend a lot of time with students and the students were really excited about being with him.”

In Dean Szymanski’s eyes, Lindner’s legacy will be the value system he embraced through his entire life – hard work, integrity and commitment to the community.

Tributes to Lindner were evident Downtown on Tuesday. The flag at Cincinnati City Hall flew at half-staff.

The marquee on the Taft Theater contained a simple message, “Thanks, Carl.”

“The level of loyalty and caring of Carl Lindner for this community was unparalleled,” said van der Horst. “I can’t think of anybody who even comes close.”

“He loved the city and he wanted to be loved by the city,” said Luken, remembering that Lindner was often called “Uncle Carl.”