Acey Gaspard 
John Menard Jr. turned student-era construction work into the business that became Menards. His biography follows the retailer’s regional growth, private ownership, major legal and regulatory disputes, auto racing, and long ties to Eau Claire.
Frank Blake’s career moved through law, government, General Electric, and Home Depot. His biography follows his unexpected rise to CEO, the retailer’s recession-era reset, stronger later results, and his work after leaving the company.
Craig Menear built a decades-long retail career before rising through Home Depot’s merchandising ranks to become CEO and chairman. His tenure included major investments in interconnected retail, the pandemic response, and a planned leadership transition.
Audi began with August Horch’s second automobile venture. Its later history runs through Auto Union, wartime rupture, a 1949 restart in Ingolstadt, and the revival of the Audi name under Volkswagen control.
Terence E. Adderley spent more than six decades with Kelly Services, rising from office manager to president, CEO and chairman while helping shape key financial and strategic changes.
Robert Nardelli brought an operations-focused approach to Home Depot as sales and profits rose. His tenure also drew criticism over customer service, compensation, governance, and share performance before his move to Chrysler.
BMW did not emerge from one simple founding event. Its modern lineage took shape through BFW, Rapp Motorenwerke and a 1922 transfer that joined the BMW name with the company line recognized today.
Daniel Massey moved from land clearing and farming into implement repair and manufacturing. The agricultural equipment enterprise he founded in 1847 became the foundation of the later Massey manufacturing business.
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