Bradley Wayne Hughes (born September 28, 1933 in Gotebo, Oklahoma) is the founder and chairman of Public Storage, the largest self-storage company in America. As of 2010, Hughes is worth $3.9 billion.[1] Known all his life by his middle name, B. Wayne Hughes was the company's President and Co-Chief Executive Officer from 1980 until November 1991 when he became Chairman of the Board and sole Chief Executive Officer. He retired as Chief Executive Officer in November 2002 and remains Chairman of the Board. He was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from 1990 until March 1998 of Public Storage Properties XI, Inc., which was renamed PS Business Parks, Inc. ("PSB"), an affiliated REIT. From 1989-90 until the respective dates of merger, he was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of 18 affiliated REITs that were merged into the Company between September 1994 and May 1998 (collectively, the "Merged Public Storage REITs"). B. Wayne Hughes has been active in the real estate investment field for over 30 years.
Contents |
Hughes created and funds the Parker Hughes Cancer Center in Minnesota that undertakes the research to develop drugs and treatment for children's leukemia and cancer.
The Parker Hughes Cancer Center declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January, 2007. The founder, Fatih Uckun, lost his license to practice medicine in Minnesota in January, 2006. After denying any wrongdoing and an arduous legal battle, Dr. Uckun regained his medical license but is required to practice under restrictions for up to three years.[2]
Hughes is the largest donor to American Crossroads, a conservative political organization started by Karl Rove. As of 2010, Hughes has contributed $1.55 million to the organization.[3]
An owner of thoroughbred racehorses since 1972, his colt Action This Day won the 2003 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and was voted the Eclipse Award for Outstanding 2-Year-Old Male Horse. In June 2004 he acquired the historic 700-acre (2.8 km2) Spendthrift Farm near Lexington, Kentucky.[4]