Gary Hoover

Gary E. Hoover, a dedicated entrepreneur and business historian, has a notable background in creating and disseminating business knowledge. Hoover's message, “The Seven Keys to Building and Leading Successful Enterprises,” resonates across various audiences, encouraging a comprehensive and global perspective. From his early fascination with business, symbolized by subscribing to Fortune magazine at age 12, to applying historical insights into business practices, Hoover's career is marked by a blend of knowledge and application.

He graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Chicago, where he studied under Nobel Prize winners including George Stigler and Milton Friedman. His professional journey includes roles such as a securities analyst for Citibank on Wall Street, a buyer for Federated Department Stores, and later as a strategic planner for May Department Stores. His corporate experience extended to serving as vice-president of marketing, planning, and research for May’s shopping center development subsidiary.

In the realm of entrepreneurship, Hoover founded BOOKSTOP, Inc. in 1982 in Austin, Texas, with an initial investment collected from private investors. BOOKSTOP emerged as the nation's first superstore book chain, offering a wide range of books at discounted prices and grew to become the fourth largest book retailer by 1989. Following its acquisition by Barnes & Noble for $41.5 million, BOOKSTOP contributed significantly to the expansion of Barnes & Noble's superstores. Later, Hoover founded Reference Press, which was rebranded as Hoover’s Inc., a publisher of the well-known Hoover's Handbooks and an electronic information provider at Hoovers.com, eventually acquired by Dun & Bradstreet for $117 million.

Currently, Hoover is a sought-after speaker, delivering keynotes and customized talks on various topics including business innovation, customer service, and leadership. His lectures are known for integrating insights from history, geography, and demography to elucidate business strategies. Notable speaking engagements include the National Association of Convenience Stores Convention and client conferences for corporations like Microsoft and Oracle. Hoover is also an author, with titles such as "Hoover's Vision: Original Thinking for Business Success" under his belt, providing practical techniques for business innovation.

Residing in Austin, Texas, Hoover continues to influence future entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of educational initiatives and fostering entrepreneurial thinking among local youth. His personal commitment to business education is further exemplified by his extensive personal research library and his active development of concepts like RoadStoryUSA. The University of Chicago has recognized his contributions by naming a dormitory "Hoover House" in his honor.