James Maynard, an East Carolina University graduate and co-founder of Golden Corral, will be inducted into the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame on Nov. 5 at Charlotte’s Westin Hotel.
Inductees are chosen annually by the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas. This year’s class also includes Raleigh businessman and former mayor Smedes York as well as BB&T Chairman John Allison of Winston-Salem.
Maynard grew up in Jacksonville, where his father, Benn, owned Onslow Plumbing Co. A solid worker and builder, the elder Maynard struggled with finances, and young James learned business principles by helping his dad. He calls his father his most important mentor.
After graduation, Maynard served briefly in the U.S. Coast Guard, then entered ECU and worked his way through with full- and part-time jobs. After six years, he earned a degree in psychology.