Jeff Cardwell, Founder
Jeff was born in Morgantown, Kentucky, and was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Paying his way through college, Jeff earned his college degree at Indiana Wesleyan University. Continuing his education, Jeff received his real estate sales license in 1984 and his brokerage license in 1986. In 1996, he was accredited by the Residential Sales Council as a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), a distinction awarded to only 4 percent of Realtors nationwide.
In 1976, Jeff began his professional career in the lumber and building material industry and today, he serves as president and CEO of Cardwell Do-it Best Home Center. In addition, he also serves as the Chairman of Madison Capital, LLC, President of Huddleston Professional Centre, CEO of Henry Lynn, LLC, and Senior Vice President of Sextons Creek Government Affairs.
In 1980, Jeff launched his construction and land development career. In 1994, Builder/Architect Magazine named him “Builder of the Month.” Later that year, he was named “Builder of the Year” by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis. In March of 1994, Jeff launched his radio career with the People Helping People Network which was syndicated for more than 20 years throughout Central Indiana. In 1998, Jeff built the first prototype of the Do-it Best hardware store. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Do-It Best Corp’s world headquarters serves more than 4,000 independent members in more than 55 nations, with $3+ billion in annual sales. This new concept propelled Do-it Best Corp to dominance in the hardware, lumber and building material industry among independent store owners.
In June 2000, Jeff went on his first mission trip, traveling to El Salvador. On January 13, 2001, a devastating earthquake hit El Salvador, killing more than a thousand people, and leaving more than 1 million people homeless. In less than 90 days, Jeff organized a group of volunteers who provided more than $2 million dollars of in-kind emergency relief supplies to the earthquake victims.
In 2000 and 2004, Jeff served as an Alternate Delegate to the National Republican Convention and a National Delegate in 2012, 2016, and 2020. He has also been elected several times to serve as a State Delegate to the Indiana State Republican Convention. In 2003, he was commissioned a “Kentucky Colonel” by Governor Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky, commissioned an “Honorary Colonel” by Governor Bob Riley of Alabama and was presented with a United States “Congressional Salute” for his community service.
In September of 2005, Jeff led a first response team of volunteers to assist the survivors of “Hurricane Katrina” delivering more than 2 million pounds of donated relief items within the first 60 days after the storm. That year, Jeff traveled to Pattaya, Thailand for the third ‘Global Summit on Peace through Tourism’. With more than 60 nations represented, Jeff presented his views on traveling with a purpose and the new concept of worldwide “voluntourism.”
In late 2005, Jeff was elected to serve on the board of directors for the Fuller Center for Housing which was founded by Millard Fuller, former Chairman and founder of Habitat for Humanity International. Today Jeff serves as the Chairman of the International Board for the Fuller Center for Housing. During his tenure as Indianapolis City-County Councilmember from 2008 - 2013, Jeff was also named “Honorary Consulate” to the Republic of El Salvador in 2009. In May of 2011, Jeff received the “Spirit of Independents’ Award” from the North American Retail Hardware Association for his humanitarian work at home and abroad. In 2016, he was awarded the “Sagamore of the Wabash” – the highest civilian honor given by the Governor of Indiana, Mike Pence.
In 2019, the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of El Salvador awarded Jeff with the highest honor that the Salvadoran government gives to foreign nationals serving in their country. The national legislature voted unanimously to bestow upon Jeff the title of “Noble Friend of El Salvador”. In 2023, Jeff was appointed as an “Honorary Consulate” to the Republic of El Salvador for the second time.
In addition, Jeff is the President of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team and a member of Grace Assembly of God in Greenwood, Indiana. Jeff resides in Greenwood, Indiana with his wife, Cheryl. They have three children: Shanne Masuccio-Juss, Sara E. Marshall, and Jeffery C. Cardwell. They have four grandsons: Nathan Juss, Henry Juss, Landry Marshall, and Jackson Lynn Marshall. Jeff Continues to pursue his passion to alleviate poverty around the world through the People Helping People Network.