RUBEN MENDOZA
FOUNDER/CEO
FOUNDATION BUILDING MATERIALS
WHY: Founder of one of the country’s largest distributors of wallboard, suspended ceiling systems in the country. Went public in 2017, raised about $180M, before 2020 sale to private equity firm American Securities LLC. Deal valued at $1.4B, including debt. Over 370 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
IN THE NEWS: Lowe’s Companies Inc. completed its $8.8B acquisition of FBM in October.
NOTABLE: Involved in several charities, including KidWorks and the Orange County Rescue Mission.
QUOTABLE: “We started this business from scratch. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I was on my knees every day, just praying to make it.”
