John Robert Menard, Junior. is an American entrepreneur and billionaire who is the founder and owner of, a Midwestern chain of home improvement stores.
Education
The oldest of eight siblings in a Catholic family with German, French-Canadian, Norwegian roots, Menard attended Eau Claire Regis High School. Menard graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire with a degree in business and a minor in psychology.
Career
He is also a former IndyCar racing team owner. He is also the father of National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing driver Paul Menard. He is the 136th richest person in the world, and the 68th richest person in the United States.
Menard began his career constructing pole buildings with friends from college.
He makes his home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Menard opened his first hardware store in 1972.
As of 2014, his company owned 287 stores. As of 2005 grossed an estimated $5.5 billion in sales.
Menard had a Netto worth of $8.6 billion in 2013, according to the Forbes 400, and is the richest person in Wisconsin.
In January 2008, Menard gave $15 million to support Eau Claire"s Luther Midelfort Hospital. The donation will be used for a new emergency services department and to help Mayo Clinic educate and train health professionals. Menard is a thoroughbred horse owner.
Menard has donated to the political groups of the Koch Brothers.
Menard is a "well-known" supporter of conservative causes.