John Thedford - CEO/Chairman

John is a visionary entrepreneur with a remarkable track record of founding and scaling industry-leading organizations, including Value Pawn & Jewelry, Premier Pawn & Jewelry, SMART Financial, La Familia Pawn & Jewelry, and Simple Management Group. A graduate of Wichita State University, Thedford is a Certified Public Accountant formerly with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, where he first encountered the pawnshop industry. John's strategic insights have transformed pawn operations into thriving retail environments.

Author of the best-selling book Smart Moves Management, which emphasizes the cultivation of world-class talent and profits, John firmly believes that "the most powerful force on earth is a human being engaged in meaningful work." He promotes this philosophy within SMG, emphasizing scientific selection of teams strengthened by robust leadership and a vibrant corporate culture. His exemplary leadership earned him the Ernst & Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2019, and he currently serves on the Orange/Osceola Salvation Army Board of Directors.