David McKillop, the general manager of A&E, said the network viewed a tape and realized the potential for his channel was in the family interaction. After what he called “a vision meeting” with Mr. Robertson, A&E commissioned two pilots. The second ended with a scene of the family gathered around the dinner table.

About a decade ago, Willie took over as CEO. It was the perfect choice, says his dad, since Willie was the only one with a business degree and was a natural salesperson too. As a youngster, Willie was pulling down around $300 a week selling candy at school - a profitable business until the principal shut him down.

Willie Robertson Together with his wife Korie, they are parents to six children - John Luke, Sadie, Will, Bella, Rowdy, and Rebecca Robertson.

David McKillop, the general manager of A&E, said the network viewed a tape and realized the potential for his channel was in the family interaction. After what he called “a vision meeting” with Mr. Robertson, A&E commissioned two pilots. The second ended with a scene of the family gathered around the dinner table.

Duck Dynasty About the Show “Duck Dynasty” profiles the close-knit clan behind a multi-million dollar sporting empire. The Robertsons face everything from beavers to business deals in their own special way - with a twist of downhome practicality and a sharp sense of humor.

Follows a wealthy Louisiana family known for their successful duck-hunting business. Follows a wealthy Louisiana family known for their successful duck-hunting business.

“What viewers have found in 'Duck Dynasty' is the flip side of that: a family that has worked hard, provided for itself, lives off the land and doesn't aspire to something that they're not. They believe in the real things in life that you take to the grave.”

Willie Robertson is the CEO of Duck Commander and Buck Commander and star of A&E's “Duck Dynasty”. Robertson has expanded his family companies, from a living room operation to a multi-million-dollar enterprise and destination for all things outdoors.

As fans of Ducky Dynasty well know, patriarch Phil Robertson and his longtime wife, Kay Robertson, are parents to four adult sons: Jep Robertson, 42, Willie Robertson, 48, Jase Robertson, 50, and Alan Robertson, 55.

The family's first adopted son, "Little Will" joined the Robertsons when he was just five weeks old. Will wasn't a regular on Duck Dynasty, only making occasional appearances on the show, as he's not as involved in the family business as some of his siblings are.

A former college quarterback from Monroe, La., Robertson gave up a coaching career for his love of duck hunting when he discovered he could whittle a better duck call than any on the market -- a move that eventually made him millions of dollars and earned his family their own reality TV series.

The Robertson family spent 38 days adrift with little fresh water or food supplies after their yacht was sunk by killer whales. Their tale of survival reveals the extremes the human body can endure.