Kris Maynard co-founded Essential Ingredients (Ei) in 1996. Ei is now a leading specialty chemical distribution company with locations throughout the US and Canada. Ei became a 100% ESOP in 2011 and Kris continues to serve as CEO and Chairman of Ei and its parent company, Cathedral Holdings. Among many other awards, Ei has been recognized as one of Forbes Small Giants as well as an All-Star in the Great Game of Business. Ei is a Certified Evergreen Company with a vision to remain privately held for 100 years. Kris is passionate about employee ownership and building companies to last for decades for the good of the customer, the community, and those that do the work of building the company – the employees.
Kris and his wife Cindy met in college at Miami of Ohio and have been married for 29 years. They have three children, Rachael, Ryan, and Justin. Kris is is an avid fisherman, hunter, and pilot and enjoys anything outdoors.