J.B. Fuqua

John Brooks "J.B." Fuqua (pronounced /ˈfjuːkwə/) (June 26, 1918 – April 5, 2006) was a businessman, philanthropist and chairman of The Fuqua Companies and Fuqua Enterprises. The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University is named after him.

Born John Brooks Elam, Jr. in Prince Edward County, Virginia and raised on a small tobacco farm, he changed his name to Fuqua, his maternal grandparents' name. Fuqua formed a number of successful business conglomerates. After listening to WRVA from an early age, he pursued his interest in radio by earning his commercial operator's license at age 17.

As an adolescent, Fuqua educated himself by requesting books from the Duke University Library to be mailed to his farm. He credited Duke's lending program with enabling him to learn about business techniques.

From the 1950s to the 1990s, Fuqua developed a sizable business empire: including Snapper lawnmower dealerships and multiple media outlets, among them a TV station with his initials — WJBF-TV in Augusta, Georgia.

Fuqua was active in politics for much of his life. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate, and he chaired the Democratic Party of Georgia from 1962 to 1966. He also was a close friend and supporter of presidents Jimmy Carter and Lyndon B. Johnson, and former Savannah Mayor and billionaire Julius Curtis Lewis, Jr..

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