J. Christopher Reyes
Born1953 (age 70–71)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Maryland
Occupation(s)Co-chairman, Reyes Holdings
SpouseAnne N. Reyes
Children4
RelativesJude Reyes (brother)

J. Christopher Reyes (born 1953) is an American billionaire businessman, and the co-chairman, with his brother Jude Reyes, of Reyes Holdings, a beer and food distribution holding company, ranked by Forbes in 2022 as the 7th largest privately held company in the US.[1]

Early life

Reyes was born in 1953, the eldest son of Joseph A. Reyes and Frances "Frannie" Marie Reyes (nee Collins) (1925-2013).[2][3] He has seven brothers and one sister, M. Jude Reyes, David K. Reyes, William F. Reyes, John J. Reyes, James V. Reyes, Julie Reyes Taubman, Thomas A. Reyes, and Stephen Reyes (died before 2013).[2][3]

Reyes earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland.[4]

Career

He began his business career by purchasing a small Schlitz beer distribution business in Spartanburg, South Carolina with his brother and father.[4] Running all aspects of the operation with his brother, the firm aggressively acquired beer distribution businesses and brands. Since 1976, Reyes Holdings has acquired more than 130 beer distribution operations. In April 1998, the firm expanded beyond beer distribution with the purchase of the Martin-Brower Company, a dedicated McDonald's distribution business operating primarily in the US and 18 international locations. In 2015, Reyes Holdings expanded into Coca-Cola production and distribution with the acquisition of Great Lakes Coca-Cola Bottling in Chicago and the Midwest.[5] Currently Reyes Holdings runs its Coca-Cola production under Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling[6] with operations in California, Nevada and throughout the Midwest.

Political donations

A Republican, Reyes and his brother, Jude, donate significant amounts of money to conservative political groups. In 2022, the Reyes brothers gave 9.3 million dollars each in campaign contributions.[7] Reyes has donated $25,250 to former Illinois Lieutenant Governor Corinne Wood.[8] From 1994 to 2007, he donated $80,200 to the Illinois Republican Party and the Lake County Republican Party committees.[8] He also donated $100,000 to Two Party System, Inc., a Republican PAC.[9]

Personal life

Reyes is married to Anne N. Reyes, they have four children and live in Hobe Sound, Florida.[4][10] In 2010, he bought a house with 44 acres in Aspen, Colorado for $47.5 million.[9] In 2022, he was named as the purchaser of the $36 million Driehaus property in Lake Geneva, WI.[11]

Philanthropy

He is a distinguished lifetime director of Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago,[12] a director of Northwestern Memorial Healthcare,[13] and a trustee of Ronald McDonald House Charities[14] and the University of Notre Dame.[15]


References

  1. ↑ MURPHY", "ANDREA. "America's Largest Private Companies 2022". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  2. 1 2 "Frances M. Reyes's Obituary on The Washington Post". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  3. 1 2 https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-sun-times/20130916/282230893378606. Retrieved 6 March 2018 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. 1 2 3 "Forbes profile: J. Christopher Reyes". Forbes. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution, L.L.C. Signs Definitive Agreement With The Coca-Cola Company | Press Release". The Coca-Cola Company. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  6. ↑ "Reyes Holdings to Combine West Coast and Midwest Coke Bottling Operations | 2021-10-30 | Beverage-Digest". www.beverage-digest.com. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  7. ↑ Melgar, Luis; Alcantara, Chris; Stanley-Becker, Isaac; Narayanswamy, Anu; Zubak-Skees, Chris (24 October 2022). "Meet the mega-donors pumping millions into the 2022 midterms". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Illinois Campaign for Political Reform biography". ilcampaign.org. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  9. 1 2 Troy Hooper, 'GOP heavyweight and friend of Aspen Skiing Company's Crown family pays $31.5 million for Aspen pad', in Real Vail, November 8, 2010
  10. ↑ "J. Christopher and Anne N. Reyes Foundation: Chicago Grants". insidephilanthropy.com. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  11. ↑ "J. Christopher Reyes, co-chairman of Reyes Holdings, revealed as the buyer of the $36M Driehaus mansion in Lake Geneva". Chicago Tribune. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  12. ↑ Reyes, J. Christopher (2012). Children's Hospital of Chicago 2012 Annual Report. p. 1.
  13. ↑ "Who's Who - J. Christopher Reyes". Crain's Chicago Business. 2018-06-13. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  14. ↑ "Ronald McDonald House Charities Board of Trustees | RMHC". rmhc.org. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  15. ↑ Dame, University Communications | University of Notre. "Board of Trustees". University of Notre Dame. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
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