A 2000 inductee into the Society of Entrepreneurs, Dan Palmer retired in 2007 as a consultant to First Data Corporation, which purchased Concord EFS, Inc. in February of 2004. Prior to the acquisition, Palmer was Chairman and CEO of Concord EFS. He founded EFS, Inc. as a venture within Union Planters Bank in 1982. In
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Richard Barnhart came to Memphis in 1967 with Chicago Bridge and Iron to build a plant on President’s Island. Upon completion of the project in 1969, Richard and a partner, Jimmy Oldham, decided to go into contracting for themselves. Some early projects of the company included the Schlitz Brewery and Cook Convention Center. In the late 70’s, Ri
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Jay B. Myers is founder and CEO of Interactive Solutions Inc. (ISI), a Memphis-based firm that specializes in video conferencing, distance learning, telemedicine, and audio-visual sales and support. Jay started ISI in 1996 and has built it into a $25-million company with 55 employees & offices in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, as well as Oxf
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Peter S. Willmott has shared his entrepreneurial spirit in many arenas of the business world. He has retired as Chairman and CEO of Willmott Services, a retail holding company and consulting firm that he founded in 1989. Prior to founding Willmott Services, Peter was CEO and President of Zenith Electronics, Chairman
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Physician and entrepreneur, Dr. Jerre Freeman, is Founder of Memphis Eye and Cataract Associates (MECA), former Chairman of EagleVision, and Founder of the World Cataract Foundation. A pioneer in the areas of cataract surgery, lens implant surgery, and laser vision correction surgery, Dr. Freeman is the designer of several lens implants and the
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John Hull Dobbs family’s original business was automobile dealerships. At one time, the Dobbs dealerships sold 25 % of all Fords sold. Over the years, they have been in the restaurant business (Dobbs House, Toddle House, etc.), the airline catering business, beer distributorships and ranching among other businesses. At present, John has a beer
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“For an established enterprise to grow and prosper, one must encourage entrepreneurs within the organization to constantly challenge and improve upon what has come within their sphere of influence.” Thomas Garrott is the retired Chairman of National Commerce Financial (NCF), and he is known as the master of finding entrepreneurial opportunit
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Inducted into the Society of Entrepreneurs in 1992 and honored as Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997, William B. Dunavant is no stranger to the concept. Chairman and CEO of Dunavant Enterprises, a cotton merchandising operation that his father founded in 1929, Mr. Dunavant firmly believes that “entrepreneurship is the key to the survival of free en
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Harold Gwatney started his automobile career in 1942, sweeping floors and washing parts at his uncle’s garage. In 1944, he went to work at Critz Chevrolet in North Little Rock as a mechanic’s helper and by 1946 was a certified mechanic-all of this prior to High School Graduation! After graduation from high school in 1947, Harold Gwatney held se
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