John Thedford

CEO/Chairman

John Thedford is an entrepreneur who has founded successful corporations including Value Pawn and Jewelry, La Familia Pawn & Jewelry, Premier Pawn & Jewelry, SMART Financial and most recently Simple Management Group.

A graduate of Wichita State University, Thedford is a Certified Public Accountant formerly with PriceWaterhouseCoopers where he was introduced to the pawnshop industry. As an author of the best-selling book, Smart Moves Management which focuses on cultivating world-class people and profits, he subscribes to the tenet that “the most powerful force on earth is a human being engaged in meaningful work” and employers must select work teams with science and hold together with leadership and culture.

In 2019, Thedford was honored with the Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year Award and serves on the Orange/Osceola Salvation Army Board of Directors.