Early Life
Janice Suber McNair was born on September 30, 1936, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She met her future husband, Bob McNair, at Columbia College where she earned a degree in education. They moved to Houston, Texas in 1960.
Rise to Success
Janice McNair co-founded the Houston Texans in 1999 with her husband, Bob McNair. Following his death in 2018, she became the principal owner and Senior Chair of the team. Bob McNair made his fortune by selling his power generator company Cogen Technologies to Enron in 1999 for $1.5 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Janice McNair has been a key figure in the Houston Texans organization, representing the team at NFL owners meetings and league functions. Her son, Cal McNair, is the current CEO and day-to-day head of the franchise, but Janice remains an influential figure.
Philanthropy
Janice and Bob McNair established The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation in 1989. The goal of the foundation was to remove some of the financial barriers that were preventing high school graduates from attending college. They have contributed over half a billion dollars to charity, with a focus on education and medical research. Notable donations include $5 million to Pro Vision Inc. in 2019 and $1 million to the Houston Rent Relief fund during the COVID-19 pandemic.
