Early Life
J. Christopher Reyes was born in 1953 in the United States. He is the eldest son of Joseph A. Reyes and Frances Marie Reyes. Reyes earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland.
Rise to Success
Reyes's business career began in 1976 when he and his brother Jude, along with their father, acquired a small Schlitz beer distribution business in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Reyes brothers aggressively expanded the business through acquisitions. The firm acquired over 130 beer distribution operations since 1976. In 1998, they expanded into food distribution with the purchase of Martin-Brower Company, a McDonald's distributor. Further diversification came in 2015 with the acquisition of Great Lakes Coca-Cola Bottling. Under Reyes's leadership, Reyes Holdings became a major force in the food and beverage industry, with annual sales exceeding $40 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Reyes’s success is attributed to strategic vision, adaptability, and commitment to quality. The company’s growth strategy involved acquiring and integrating various distribution businesses, expanding its reach across the U.S. and internationally. Reyes focused on strong relationships with customers, employees, and suppliers, building trust and fostering a positive work environment.
Philanthropy
J. Christopher Reyes is involved in numerous philanthropic efforts, including serving as a distinguished lifetime director of Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, a director of Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, and a trustee of Ronald McDonald House Charities and the University of Notre Dame.