Opportunity takes
many forms.

A long-term commitment to Whitefish.

John is an investor and board member at Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana, with an ownership group that includes Bill Foley.

John is also currently investing in and serving on the board of a new private ski club and real estate development in Whitefish spanning several hundred acres, scheduled to open in 2028.

His involvement reflects an interest in the long-term development of distinctive places: the mountain, the guest experience and the community around it.

A brand with a point of view.

Through Masterpiece Spirits and Latin Gin, John brings his experience in consumer products and international business to the spirits category.

Based in Italy, Latin Gin is one of Amazon EU’s top 20 best-selling gin brands. It continues John’s work developing products with a clear audience and a story of their own.

Creative content. A global audience.

John’s work with Funimation combined investment and business leadership in a company known for bringing Japanese anime to international audiences. Its catalog included Dragon Ball Z and other enduring franchises. John served as chairman through the company’s 2017 sale to Sony.

Funimation later merged with Crunchyroll under Sony, with the combined business adopting the Crunchyroll name in 2022.

From the business of stories to making them.

John and Kix Brooks co-founded Vaquero Studios, bringing together creative talent and production experience. His executive producer credits include Home by Spring and You’re Gonna Miss Me.

That experience continues to inform his interest in original film and television development, and in bringing creative professionals and business partners together.

Ideas that reached the retail shelf.

John co-founded World Factory, developing more than 2,000 products for retailers including Walmart, Home Depot, Target and Amazon. Its innovations included the solar-powered patio umbrella.

Building a regional banking business.

John joined a group of investors in Worth Bancorporation and served on the board. BOK Financial acquired Worth in 2007, bringing the business into Bank of Texas.

The investment brought together the operating experience and relationships of a group of entrepreneurs.

From a rider’s needs to a global business.

In 1984, John and his brother Gregory co-founded Chrome Specialties. The company grew into a major international supplier of custom and replacement Harley-Davidson parts, with more than 12,000 products in a 900-page catalog, reaching over 3,500 retailers and 48 countries.

The business created Motor Factory, Highway One and Dallas Leathers, acquired Jammer Cycle, and expanded into Europe. Its catalog eventually offered the components to build a complete custom motorcycle.

Chrome Specialties merged with Global Motorsport / Custom Chrome in 1997. The company’s story connects product development, brand building, manufacturing and international distribution—experience John carried into the businesses that followed.

Inside the commemorative issue

A Leader Steps Forward in Parts and Accessories Building the business around riders International distribution, people & products

The business that started it.

John co-founded Texas Harley-Davidson, building a dealership recognized by Harley-Davidson Motor Co. as the nation’s largest-volume Harley-Davidson dealer for 1983. It was an early defining chapter: understanding the customer, developing a team and turning opportunity into an operating business.

The experience laid the foundation for Chrome Specialties and a career in building brands, distribution networks and relationships across industries.

Harley-Davidson Motor Co. / 1983

Nation’s largest-volume dealer.

The manufacturer’s award to Texas Harley-Davidson, Haltom City, Texas.

Read the award