J.B. Fuqua, renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, currently serves as chairman of The Fuqua Companies. During his career, he was chairman of five companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange and owned numerous businesses in a variety of industries.

Mr. Fuqua was born in 1918 in rural Virginia. Following his service in the Merchant Marines as a radio operator, Mr. Fuqua began his career as an engineer at a South Carolina radio station. By age 2 1, he was partowner of an Augusta, Georgia radio station and the youngest station manager in the nation. Mr. Fuqua served four terms (1957-1964) in the Georgia Legislature, three in the House and one in the Senate. He served as chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia from 1962 through 1966.

Over his lifetime, Mr. Fuqua has given generously to education, conservation, health, and public service concerns. In Atlanta alone, he supports countless organizations; among his most notable gifts are the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Fuqua Heart Center at Piedmont Hospital. In 1999, Worth Magazine recognized Mr. Fuqua as one of the 100 most generous Americans in lifetime charitable giving.

Mr. Fuqua has been the recipient of many major awards, including the 1984 Horatio Alger Award, the 1986 Sales and Marketing Award from the Sales and Marketing Executives-International, the 1993 Philanthropist of the Year Award presented by the National Association of Fund Raising Executives, and the 2000 Atlanta Gas Light/WSB Radio Shining Light Award. Though he never attended college, he has been awarded ten honorary degrees.

Back to 2001 Hall of Fame Honorees page