Thomas Frist Jr. – largest individual shareholder of HCA, a healthcare system. Net worth around $5 Billion+.
Gregory Family – Pharmaceutical heirs, Stellar Pharmaceuticals, SJ Strategic Investments, based in Bristol, TN/VA. Big philanthropists. Net worth around $1-5 billion.
Martha Rivers Ingram – Chairman of Ingram Industries, based in Nashville, TN. Strong Vandy ties. Net worth about $3.4 Billion+
Frederick Smith – Founder of FedEx Corp based in Memphis, TN. Net worth around $2.3 Billion.
Brad Kelley- Resides in Nashville, TN. founded Commonwealth Brands tobacco company 1990, manufactured discounted cigarettes USA Gold, Bull Durham, Malibu. Owns 71% of Kentucky Downs racetrack; also holds minor stake in Churchill Downs, venue of Kentucky Derby. Net worth around $2 Billion.
Mason Hawkins – Owner of Southeastern Asset Management Group, a money management firm. Net worth around $1.8 Billion.
Cal Turner Jr. – Largest stockholder of Dollar General Stores, which was created by his father and grandfather. Net worth around $1.7 Billion.
Jimmy Haslam – CEO of Pilot Flying J Truck stops. based in Knoxville, TN. Strong UTK ties. Net worth around $1.45 Billion+
Kemmons Wilson Family – Founders of Holiday Inn, based in Memphis, TN. Owners of Wilson Hotel Management Co. Net worth around $1.2 Billion.
J.R. Hyde III – Founder of AutoZone, and largest stockholder of GTx Pharmaceutical Co. based in Memphis, TN. Net worth around $915 Million.
James W. McGlothlin – Tennessee/Virginia resident and Chief executive of coal company, United Co., which is based in Bristol, VA. Net worth around $900 Million.
Jack Lupton – Grandson of founder of Great Western Coco-Cola Bottling Co, based in Chattanooga, TN. Sold company to Coke for $1.4 billion. Net worth around $880 Million.
R.B. Davenport III – Son of Krystal fast food founder. Also founded drive thru fast-food chain Central Park. Net worth around $850 Million.
Summerfield K. Johnston Jr. – Heir to the Coca-Cola bottling fortune. Former director of SunTrust Banks. Net worth around $830 Million.
John Hull Dobbs – Owner of Dobbs Management Services, based in Memphis, TN. Net worth around $800 Million.
Spencer Hays – Owner of Southwestern/Great American Inc. based in Nashville, TN. Net worth around $800 Million.
Forrest Preston – Owner of Life Care Centers of America Nursing Homes. based in Cleveland, TN. Net worth around $600 Million+.
Billy Dunavant – Owner of Dunavant Enterprises, a cotton manufacturer based in Memphis, TN. Net worth around $640 Million.
Jim Clayton – Founder of Clayton Homes/FSB Bancshares based in Knoxville, TN. Net worth around $580 Million+.
W. Allan Jones – Founder of Check into Cash, an industry which allows people to receive advanced payments for their upcoming paychecks. Based in Cleveland, TN. Net worth around $500 Million+.
Clayton McWhorter – Owner of Clayton Associates, a healthcare services company. Based in Nashville, TN. Net worth around $470 Million.
Bill Sansom – Owner of H.T. Hackney Co. based in Knoxville, TN. Net worth around $300 Million
Nicewonder Family – Tennessee/Virginia residents, Founder Nicewonder Coal Group. VT ties. Net worth around $250-300 Million+.
Scott Niswonger – Landair Transport, based in Greeneville, TN. Niswonger Children’s Hospital namesake. Strong community and philanthropical ties. Net worth around $150 million.
David Hatley – CEO and founder of LPI, based in Johnson City, TN. Real estate investor and developer. Net worth around $130 million+.
Steve and Ashley Grindstaff – Automotive dealer, real estate investor. Philanthropists, strong ETSU ties, based in Johnson City, TN. Net worth around $100 million+.
Kimberly Nicewonder, Jay Sartori – Tennessee/Virginia residents, Member of Nicewonder Coal Group family. Net worth around $75 million+ (Personal).
Carl Moore and Family – Bristol, TN/VA, state senator, big political ties, commercial and residential real estate investor, and developer. Net worth around $70 million.
John D. Tickle and Family – Bristol, TN/VA. Strongwell Corporation. Investors. Huge philanthropists. Strong UTK and ETSU ties. Net worth around $70 million.
LaPorte Family – Based in Elizabethton, TN. Founder Citizens Bank. Real estate investors. Net worth around $65 million.
Carrier Family – Largest selling shareholder of Bristol Motor Speedway to NASCAR. Large real estate holdings. Net worth around $60 million.
Shawl Family – Tennessee/Virginia, Food chain heirs and real estate investors. Philanthropists. Net worth around $55 million.
Barb Family – Commercial real estate investments and developments, political ties, based in Bristol, Tennessee. Net worth around $30 million.
Bowman Family – Jewelers, real estate investors. Strong ETSU ties. Based in Johnson City, TN. Net worth around $20 million.
Vonderfecht Family – Based in Johnson City, TN. Long time generational medicine family, Johnson City Medical Center namesake. Big ETSU and UTK ties. Net worth around $20 million.