Early Life
Michael Jude Reyes was born in 1955 in Washington, D.C.. He was raised in a large family in Maryland with Hispanic and Irish heritage. His father, Joseph A. Reyes, provided the foundation for business acumen. Jude Reyes earned a bachelor's degree from Wofford College.
Rise to Success
In 1976, Jude Reyes and his brother J. Christopher Reyes co-founded Reyes Holdings. Their initial venture was the acquisition of a small Schlitz beer distributor in South Carolina for $740,000. Under their leadership, the company grew through strategic acquisitions, diversifying into various sectors of the distribution industry. Reyes Holdings expanded into food distribution with the acquisition of Martin Brower in 1998.
Key Business Strategies
The Reyes brothers focused on efficient distribution and customer service, building partnerships with major brands. The company's expansion strategy involved acquiring numerous distributors and diversifying into related sectors, including Coca-Cola bottling. In 2022, Reyes Holdings unified its Coca-Cola operations under a single business unit, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling.
Philanthropy
Jude Reyes is involved in philanthropic activities. He has served as chairman of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's board and a director of the Children's Hospital Foundation in Washington, D.C.. In 2020, he donated $50,000 to Donald Trump's presidential campaign.