WisPolitics Budget Blog

Living the American Dream, right here in blue-collar Rock County, WI...

Ken is the best thing to happen to Beloit since that city beat-out Janesville for a new Milwaukee Brewers single A minor league team (now with the Twins organization). And he continues to promote the area with buying-up old landmarks such as the Parker Pen Building in Janesville and the Dana Plant in Edgerton; both of which sat empty for years and scarred the economic landscape of Rock County.

Ken embodies what makes this country great, even for a high school drop-out - opportunity.

#207 Ken Hendricks

Net Worth:
$1.5 billion
Source: Distribution,
building supplies, real estate
Self made

Age: 63
Marital Status:
Married, 7 children
Hometown: Beloit, WI
Education: High School, Drop Out

High school dropout, onetime roofer bought first construction supply business in 1982; kept right on buying. Today ABC Supply the largest supplier of roofing and siding materials to professional contractors in the U.S. Sales: $2 billion. Frustrated architect helped design corporate headquarters in once-blighted Beloit; pouring money into revitalizing town's downtown factory area with commercial buildings, public space. Popularizing line of
eco-friendly "green roofs" made of plants to absorb rainwater runoff and
heat.