Society of Entrepreneurs – Memphis Flyer

The Society of Entrepreneurs (SOE) has selected five new members to join the organization. The inductees are: Chris Brubaker of Progressive Technologies; Fred, Brett, and Justin Grinder of Grinder, Taber & Grinder, Inc.; and Stacy McCall of ServiceMaster by Stratos.

Brubaker, born and raised in Memphis, is a 1988 graduate of Christian Brothers High School and a 1992 graduate of Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. From 1992 to 1996 he was with Deloitte & Touche as a Certified Public Accountant in the audit department. In 1997, he purchased Progressive Technologies from his father, David Brubaker. The company installs and services systems dedicated to communications, life safety, and security across the United States.

Grinder, Taber & Grinder, Inc. is a full service commercial and industrial construction firm in its sixth decade of continuous operations in the Memphis area. Fred Grinder and his two sons Brett and Justin have led the firm as managing principals for the past three decades. The Grinders handle commercial building for private, public, and non-profits. They expanded the company into every sector of the commercial building market including private schools and colleges, automotive, medical, and manufacturing industries, municipal sports, and large public projects.

McCall has developed a strong internal culture at ServiceMaster by Stratos through open communication channels based on core values like integrity, accountability and respect. She continues to lead Stratos to new heights, through continued growth and the introduction of technological advancements throughout the organization, while servicing venues in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi.

They will be officially inducted into SOE at the 32nd Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet April 20, 2024 at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms.

SOE was formed in 1991 to recognize the historical importance of the contributions of individuals who have, over a prolonged period, demonstrated a gift of entrepreneurship to create or build a successful business, and also to serve the community.

The Society of Entrepreneurs (SOE) has named Jay Martin the recipient of the 2021 Master Entrepreneur Award.

The award from SOE, in partnership with Junior Achievement of Memphis, will be presented to Martin, CEO of Juice Plus+, on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at the Virtual 29th Awards Celebration to be aired at 7 p.m. on WKNO-TV. The celebration will also recognize this year’s inductees: Tyrone Burroughs of First Choice, and Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer of Enjoy AM Restaurant Group.

Martin was inducted into the SOE in 2008. A celebrated storyteller, he’s written two books and is sought after as a speaker.

He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1968 and moved to Memphis in 1969. Martin founded National Safety Associates (Juice Plus Co.) with $500 and has served as president and CEO since its inception.

Juice Plus+ is a direct marketing company with 75,000 independent distributors in all 50 states and 25 foreign countries. The company has systemwide sales of $425 million annually, and has sales since inception of $12 billion. There are 450 employees, primarily housed at corporate headquarters in Collierville, and a shipping facility in Memphis. Juice Plus Co. hosts two conventions a year with an average attendance of 5,000.

Martin has long been involved in working to improve the city. He initiated one of the most innovative programs in Memphis when he established My City Rides. “It provides affordable scooters through a lease-to-own plan,” he says. “We’re close to 300 people with the scooters and they get 75 to 80 miles a gallon. They really like it.” He and his My City Rides team were awarded an Innovation Award from Inside Memphis Business magazine in 2019.

Martin has served on the Board of Directors of Church Health Center, St. George’s Episcopal School, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis, Memphis Athletic Ministries, and the US Direct Selling Association, and is a supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, Church Health Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (the company sponsors the St. Jude Marathon), Volunteers of America, United Way of the Mid-South, and the Albert and Jessie Martin Scholarship. He also established the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis’ Job Seeker program with a $5 million grant that helps train, motivate, and place high school graduates from the Boys and Girls Club in meaningful jobs. The program serves 50 to 75 kids annually.

The designation of Master Entrepreneur is given to a member of the Society who best exemplifies the full range of characteristics – self-direction, determination, creativity, leadership, and integrity – that are necessary for membership in the Society. Martin joins a group that includes Jack A. Belz, Michael Bruns, J.R. ‘Pitt’ Hyde, Patrick Lawler, Scott Morris, and Henry Turley.