# Jack R. Daugherty

> Jack Randolph Daugherty (1947-2022) founded Cash America and led its development into a publicly traded international pawnshop chain. His approach combined customer service, well-lit stores, employee training and centralized operations. He retired as CEO in February 2000 and served as chairman until November 2015. His life also included basketball, oil ventures, ranching and a long connection to Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas.

- **Role:** Entrepreneur and pawnbroking executive
- **Organizations:** Cash America International, Inc., Ace Pawn Shop
- **From:** Dallas, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** High school graduate, W.E. Boswell High School, Ranger College, Texas Tech University, Texas Wesleyan University
- **Known for:** Founded Cash America and led its transition into a publicly traded pawnshop chain., Oversaw expansion beyond the United States into the United Kingdom and Sweden., Developed an approach emphasizing customer service, store appearance, training and centralized systems.

## Career timeline

- **1971** — Opened Ace Pawn Shop and began his career in the pawn industry.
- **1983-1984** — Founded Cash America; business histories date its founding to 1983, while the company was incorporated in Texas in 1984.
- **1987** — Took Cash America public.
- **1990** — Cash America listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
- **1992** — Expanded into the United Kingdom through the acquisition of Harvey & Thompson.
- **1994** — Cash America expanded into Sweden and reached its billionth dollar in cumulative lending.
- **2000-02** — Retired as CEO; Daniel R. Feehan succeeded him. Continued as chairman.
- **2015-11** — Stepped down as chairman on November 1 and continued as a director.
- **2016-09** — Cash America merged into a subsidiary of First Cash, which became FirstCash.

## Achievements

- Founded Cash America and led its transition into a publicly traded pawnshop chain.
- Oversaw expansion beyond the United States into the United Kingdom and Sweden.
- Developed an approach emphasizing customer service, store appearance, training and centralized systems.
- Cash America reported 477 pawnshops at December 31, 1999, near the end of his CEO tenure.

## Latest updates

- **2022-02** — Died on February 3, 2022; funeral services were held on February 28 in Fort Worth.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jack-daugherty
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26