John Menard, Jr.
John Menard, Jr. | Founder, Menard, Inc. | $22B
as of 7/02/24
John Menard, Jr. is the founder of Menards, a Midwest home improvement chain. Known for his low-profile demeanor, Menard has built a retail empire, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the United States. He is a former INDYCAR racing team owner, and the father of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Paul Menard.
Personal Information:
Full Name: John Robert Menard, Jr.
Date of Birth: January 22, 1940
Place of Birth: Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA
Zodiac: Aquarius
Marital Status and Family: Married to Fay Obrecht, divorced. Married to Debra, divorced. Married to Andrea. He has six children, including Paul Menard, a professional race car driver.
Relatives: His siblings include brothers Larry and John Menard Sr.
Background and Early Life:
Family Background: Menard grew up in a modest family; his father was a school teacher and his mother a homemaker.
Ancestry: Primarily of French-Canadian descent.
Early Influences: His entrepreneurial spirit was evident early on, working on construction projects during his college years.
Has been influenced by: Early experiences in construction and retail business.
Books that impacted the most: There are no specific books documented, but his business strategies reflect a practical, hands-on approach.
Educational Background:
Education: Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Professional Career:
Current Occupation: Founder and CEO of Menards, Inc. Menards
Career History: Started with a small construction business in 1958, which evolved into Menards, a leading home improvement retail chain.
Career Milestones:
Key Achievements:
Founded Menards, which has grown to over 300 stores across 14 states.
Built a successful career in motorsports, including owning a racing team.
Innovations and Contributions: Innovated retail strategies in the home improvement sector, focusing on customer service and low prices.
Industry Impact: Significant impact on the retail and home improvement industry in the Midwest.
Net Worth and Assets:
Estimated Net Worth: Approximately $13 billion (as of 2023)
Key Assets: Menards retail chain, various real estate investments.
Investments: Primarily in retail and real estate.
Stock Records: Menard keeps his business privately held, so there are no publicly available stock records.
Business Interests:
Primary Business: Menards, Inc.
Known Board of Directors Positions: Primarily within his own company.
Other Ventures: Investments in motorsports, including team ownership in NASCAR.
Leadership Style and Business Philosophy:
Leadership Approach: Hands-on, detail-oriented, and customer-focused.
Business Philosophy: Emphasizes low prices, customer satisfaction, and efficient operations.
Philanthropy and Social Contributions:
Charitable Donations: Menard has been known to donate to various causes, though he maintains a low profile in his philanthropic activities.
In January 2008, Menard gave $15 million to support Eau Claire's Luther Midelfort Hospital. The donation was used for a new emergency services department and to help the hospital educate and train health professionals.
In 2015, Menard donated $10 million to support the Eau Claire Area YMCA. The gift helped replace the five-court LE Phillips Tennis Center that opened in 1972 to become an eight-court indoor tennis center known as the John and Fay Menard YMCA Tennis Center.
In 2019, The Menard family donated $5 million to the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law. In addition to supporting the center's research, engagement, and student enrichment, the donation also supports an endowed lecture and an annual national conference.
Foundations and Initiatives: There are no widely publicized foundations or initiatives directly tied to Menard.
Philanthropic Goals: Focuses on local community support and education.
Environmental Stewardship: Implements environmentally friendly practices in his business operations.
CSR: Menards is known for community engagement and support.
Lifestyle and Interests:
Main Residence: Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Personal Values: Values privacy, family, and practical business operations.
Hobbies and Interests: Hunting, fishing, motorsports, particularly NASCAR.
Motorsports involvement: Paul Menard, John Jr.'s son, raced sixteen years in the NASCAR Cup Series, winning the 2011 Brickyard 400. Menard also owns an engine shop in the United Kingdom that produced engines for Team Menard and Robby Gordon Motorsports, the former of which, owned by Menard, won the 1997 and 1999 Indy Racing League championships.
Menards is a primary sponsor of the Team Penske #2 Ford Mustang. They are also primary sponsors of his teammate in the #12 Mustang Ryan Blaney in the NASCAR Cup Series. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Menards sponsors the JR Motorsports #9 Chevrolet Camaro with driver Brandon Jones. In the Craftsman Truck Series, Menards sponsors the ThorSport Racing #88 Ford with driver Matt Crafton. Menards was a former partner of Robby Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Martin Truex Jr. across various series.
Menard also sponsored Frank Kimmel for several years in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. After RE/MAX declined to renew their sponsorship, Menards took over as title sponsor, renaming the series the ARCA Menards Series.
Menards-sponsored cars are easily recognizable on tracks, as they are typically painted with a fluorescent yellow livery.
Social Circles: Primarily local business and community circles in Wisconsin.
Membership in Private Clubs and Social Organizations: No widely known memberships.
Associates:
Business Connections:
Key executives within Menards.
NASCAR industry professionals.
Local Wisconsin business leaders.
Personal Connections:
Paul Menard: Son and professional race car driver.
Limited public information on other personal connections.
Political and Social Influence:
Political Affiliations: Known to be a conservative supporter.
Menard has donated to the political groups of the Koch brothers.
Advocacy: Supports policies beneficial to small businesses and low taxation.
Significant Political Statements: Limited public political discourse.
Future Plans and Projects:
Upcoming Ventures: Continuation and expansion of Menards.
Forecasts: Expected to maintain a strong presence in the retail market.
Legacy: Known for building a highly successful retail chain and contributing to the local economy.
Available Data on Possessions:
Yachts: No widely known yachts.
Private Jets: Embraer ERJ 135
Cars: Known to own various high-end vehicles, including race cars.
Art: No significant public collection known.
Real Estate and Residences: Significant properties in Wisconsin and surrounding areas.
Collectables: Interest in motorsports memorabilia.
Expensive Accessories: Limited public information.
Public Persona and Influence:
Media Presence: Generally avoids media attention.
Public Speaking: Rarely engages in public speaking.
Public Appearances: Appears at NASCAR events and local community events.
Recognition and Awards: Recognized for contributions to the retail industry and local economy.
Other Information:
Unique Contributions: Transformative impact on the Midwest home improvement retail market.
Media Search Results for John Menard, Jr.
Biographical Books
Currently, there are no biographical books specifically focused on John Menard Jr. available in public databases.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Controversies
John Menard Jr. has been involved in several controversies, notably his disputes with former business associates and his strict management practices. He has been described as having a "pinchpenny thriftiness" and has faced legal battles with former partners like Stephen Hilbert over business disagreements.
Legal Issues
Menard has faced numerous legal issues over the years:
Environmental Violations: In 1997, Menard was caught using his own pickup truck to haul plastic bags filled with chromium and arsenic-laden wood ash to his home for disposal with his household trash.[4] Menard pleaded no contest to felony and misdemeanor charges involving records violations, unlawful transportation, and improper disposal of hazardous waste. Menard and his company were fined $1.7 million for 21 violations.
Tax Disputes: In 2002 and 2013, he faced tax-related legal issues, including a significant case where he was ordered to pay $6 million in back taxes for allegedly mischaracterizing $20 million as salary rather than dividends.
Gender Discrimination: Menard's former legal counsel, Dawn Sands, successfully sued him for gender discrimination, leading to a $1.6 million payment. Sands claimed she was grossly underpaid and faced discrimination at Menards.
Scandals
One of the more notable scandals involving Menard was the lawsuit filed by Tomisue Hilbert, which included allegations of inappropriate behavior and advances made by Menard towards her. The case garnered significant media attention and highlighted some of Menard's personal conduct issues.
Allegations
Allegations against Menard often revolve around his management style and business practices, including unfair labor practices and attempts to avoid unionization. His aggressive legal tactics against former associates and employees have also been a point of contention.
Criticisms
Menard has faced criticism for his strict control over Menards, including requiring top executives to punch a time clock and imposing penalties for infractions. His hostility towards organized labor and aggressive management tactics have been widely criticized.
Public Conflicts
Menard's public conflicts include disputes with former business partner Stephen Hilbert and legal battles with his former legal counsel Dawn Sands. His involvement in these high-profile cases has often brought him into the public eye.
Curious Information
Little-known Biography Facts
John Menard Jr. was born on January 22, 1940, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He started his business career by constructing pole buildings while still in college.
He has been married three times and has six children. His current wife is Faiha Obaid.
In April 2020, Menard was among several businessmen named to the economic advisory group established by President Donald Trump.
Unusual Experience
Menard's involvement in motorsports is a significant aspect of his life. He has been involved in racing for nearly 40 years, sponsoring various teams and drivers, including his son, Paul Menard, who raced in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Gossip and Rumors
Due to his private nature, there are relatively few rumors about Menard. However, his legal battles and management style often lead to speculation and gossip in business circles.
Mentions in Conspiracy Theories
Menard is not commonly mentioned in conspiracy theories. Most discussions around him are related to his business practices and legal issues.
Psycho-emotional Profile of John Menard, Jr.
Emotional State and Mood: John Menard Jr. is known for his pragmatic and stern demeanor. Despite his immense success, he has faced significant controversies, including legal issues and personal conduct allegations, which suggest periods of stress and public scrutiny. Overall, his emotional state seems steady, driven by a focus on business and growth.
Personality Traits: Menard exhibits traits of introversion, conscientiousness, and high resilience. He maintains a low public profile despite his wealth, indicating a preference for privacy. His meticulous and hands-on approach to business management reflects his conscientious nature. Menard's resilience is evident in his ability to navigate legal challenges and business growth simultaneously.
Stress Levels and Coping Mechanisms: Given his rigorous management style and the controversies he has faced, Menard likely experiences high stress levels. His coping mechanisms include maintaining strict control over his business operations and employing a pragmatic approach to problem-solving. The fines and legal challenges indicate a propensity to address issues head-on rather than avoiding them.
Self-Esteem and Self-Concept: Menard’s self-esteem appears to be high, supported by his successful establishment and expansion of Menards into one of the largest home-improvement chains in the U.S. He views himself as a capable and influential business leader, although his strict management practices suggest a potential overemphasis on control and perfectionism.
Interpersonal Relationships: Menard maintains professional relationships that are likely characterized by a hierarchical and results-oriented nature. His strict policies and the controversies involving personal conduct indicate potential challenges in interpersonal relationships, possibly leading to a guarded and authoritative interaction style with colleagues and subordinates.
Behavioral Patterns: Menard is known for his frugality and stringent management practices, such as fining managers for late openings and requiring executives to clock in. These behaviors indicate a high level of control and discipline in his professional life. There are no public indications of maladaptive behaviors like substance abuse or self-harm.
Psychological Well-being: Overall, Menard’s psychological well-being appears stable, driven by his business success and control over his operations. However, the stress from legal issues and public scrutiny could impact his mental health, though he seems to manage these through stringent business practices and resilience.
Cognitive Functioning: Menard demonstrates strong cognitive abilities, particularly in strategic planning and problem-solving. His ability to expand Menards into a major retail chain reflects his sharp business acumen and effective decision-making skills.
Past Experiences and Trauma: Significant life events, such as the establishment and growth of his business and handling legal controversies, have shaped Menard’s resilience and strategic outlook. These experiences likely reinforced his strict and pragmatic approach to business management.
Motivations and Goals: Menard is motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. His goals include maintaining the growth and success of Menards and preserving his business legacy. Extrinsically, he is driven by public recognition and the desire to remain influential in the retail sector.
Physical Health and Its Impact: There is limited public information on Menard’s physical health, but his active involvement in business and demanding lifestyle suggest he prioritizes his well-being. Effective physical health likely contributes positively to his psychological resilience and ability to manage stress.
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