Stuart E. Wood, Jr.

After graduating from Bristol’s Tennessee High School in 1956, he briefly attended Virginia Tech, but soon returned home to complete his education at ETSU. His schedule in those days was built around delivering the Bristol newspaper early in the morning, driving to Johnson City to attend classes, and working on the production line at Kern’s Bakery back in Bristol during the evenings, with naps in the car to help him survive his routine.

With his ETSU business degree in hand, he served a stint in the U.S. Army, then returned to the Tri-Cities to employment at General Electric Capital Corporation, handling special financing as a credit manager for the region.

As his next step, Wood joined the Anheuser-Busch bakery products division selling to commercial concerns such as his old employer Kern’s Bakery. Ready to step out on his own, Wood began Bonanza Mobile Homes.

In 1971, he sold his business and purchased Holston Distributing in Johnson City, which had been his family’s enterprise since 1934. In his first year with the business, Wood saw three routes handle 285,000 cases of beverages. Now Holston Distributing sells over 2 million cases through 20 routes from a 110,000 square-foot-facility on 15 acres. In addition, he created Warehouse Central and Truck Central to provide a key storage and delivery system for business.

Wood’s other interests include Woodridge Construction Co., Hunterwood Subdivision development, and Bowman Wood Development LLC in Bristol.

A civic leader, Wood has held numerous positions in organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Board, and the Johnson City Regional Planning Commission. He has served as a board member for such institutions as the Wellmont Healthcare Foundation, Sullins Academy, and the Sequoyah Council of the Boy Scouts.

The 1998 Outstanding Alumnus was the first ETSU graduate to serve as president of the ETSU Foundation, and was also selected president of the Pirate Club. He is a member of the Platinum Society for his lifetime giving to the ETSU Foundation. One of the first members of the ETSU College of Business Board of Advisors, he is a strong supporter of ETSU students, creating a scholarship fund for the university’s business students and establishing Holston Distributing as a key partner in the promotion of ETSU athletics.

Wood is the father of Frank Wood, who serves Holston Distributing as vice president, and daughter Meredith, a professional entertainer in Atlanta.