John Menard Jr. | |
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Born |
John Robert Menard Jr. January 22, 1940 Eau Claire, Wisconsin |
Nationality | American |
Education | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire |
Occupation | Entrepreneur |
Known for | Founding Menards |
Net worth | US$9.1 billion (February 2016) |
Children |
Paul Menard John Menard III |
John Robert Menard Jr. (born January 22, 1940) is an American entrepreneur and billionaire who is the founder and owner of Menards, a Midwestern chain of home improvement stores. He is also a former IndyCar racing team owner. He is also the father of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Paul Menard. He is the 136th richest person in the world, and the 68th richest person in the United States.
The oldest of eight siblings in a Catholic family with German, French-Canadian, Norwegian roots, Menard attended Eau Claire Regis High School. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire with a degree in business and a minor in psychology. Menard began his career constructing pole buildings with friends from college. He made his home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Menard has six children, and married his third wife, Fay Obiad in 2008.
Menard opened his first hardware store in 1972. As of 2014, his company owned 287 Menards stores. As of 2005 Menards grossed an estimated $5.5 billion in sales. Menard had a net worth of $8.6 billion in 2013, according to the Forbes 400, and is the richest person in Wisconsin.
Paul Menard, John Jr.'s son, is the driver of the #27 Menards Chevrolet in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. 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.