Jim Gardner (politician)
James Carson "Jim" Gardner (born April 8, 1933) is an American businessman and politician from North Carolina who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for just one term from 1967 to 1969 and served as the 30th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina 1989 to 1993.
Jim Gardner
Early life[edit]
Gardner was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He attended public schools and North Carolina State University. Gardner served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955.[1]
Business career[edit]
In May 1961, Gardner, along with Joseph Leonard Rawls, Jr., opened the first franchise store of the fast food restaurant Hardee's in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.[2] Later, in 1969, he bought the troubled Houston Mavericks of the American Basketball Association and moved them to North Carolina a year later as the Carolina Cougars.[3][4]