| John Menard, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Eau Claire, Wisconsin |
| Nationality | United States |
| Education | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founding Menards |
| Children | Paul Menard and Charlie Menard |
John R. Menard, Jr. (born 1940) is an American entrepreneur and billionaire who is the founder and owner of Menards, a major Midwestern home improvement chain. Additionally, he is a former Indycar racing team owner. Menard is also a partner in Robby Gordon Motorsports with NASCAR owner/driver Robby Gordon. He is the father of NASCAR driver Paul Menard.
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The oldest of eight siblings, Menard graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire with a degree in business.[1] Menard began his career constructing pole buildings with friends from college.[2] He makes his home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Menard opened his first hardware story in 1972. As of 2011, his company owned 262 Menards stores. As of 2005 Menards grossed an estimated $5.5 billion in sales. Menard had a net worth of $7.3 billion in 2007, according to the Forbes 400, and is the richest person in Wisconsin.[3] He is the 136th richest person in the world, and he is the 68th richest person in America.[4][5]
His son is Paul Menard, driver of the #27 Menards Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Menard also owns an engine shop in the United Kingdom that produced engines for Team Menard and Robby Gordon Motorsports and was the owner of Team Menard which won the 1997 and 1999 Indy Racing League championships, almost won the Indy 500 in 1999 as a team owner with driver Robby Gordon the car ran out of fuel before taking the white flag lap.
In January 2008, Menard gave $15 million to support Eau Claire's Luther Midelfort Hospital. The donation will be used for a new emergency services department and to help Mayo Clinic educate and train health professionals. [6]
Menard is a thoroughbred horse owner, including potential 2010 Kentucky Derby entrant Thomas Got Even, bred at Menard's Kentucky farm.