
Dick McAdams
Dick McAdams was 23 when he founded his first company, McAdams Carpets in Montgomery, Ala. At one time he was listed in the book of world records for owning a retail store that did the most business per square foot in the world. By 1975, McAdams Carpets had become the largest flooring dealer in Alabama, a distinction his store would have for 20 years when it discontinued residential sales. In 1988, McAdams founded Georgia Carpet Outlets (GCO), a niche concept that was new to the industry: cash-and-carry. Within six years, GCO had grown to 64 company-owned and franchised stores. At the time of his retirement, the chain had more than 100 stores.