Ken May is an American business executive, advisor, and former CEO, known for leading companies in logistics, hospitality, and sports entertainment. He has been CEO of Topgolf, FedEx Office, Drive Shack Inc., and JumpShot, and is an executive advisor and board member across several emerging brands.
Early life May earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) from the University of Memphis and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee.
Career
Topgolf (2013–2017) May joined Topgolf in August 2013 as COO and was promoted to President & CEO of U.S. venue operations in July 2014. Under his leadership, Topgolf expanded from approximately $70 million to $750 million in annual revenue, opened 24 U.S. venues, and grew its workforce from around 5,000 to over 20,000 employees.PR Newswire, “Topgolf Leader of U.S. Venues Ken May Announces Retirement,” October 2, 2017.CNN Money; Dallas Business Journal, July 16, 2014. During this period, D Magazine’s 2016 “My Office” feature highlighted May’s playful and forward-thinking office design—complete with beer taps and glass walls—underscoring the culture change he cultivated at the company. He retired from the company in October 2017.PR Newswire, “Topgolf Leader of U.S. Venues Ken May Announces Retirement,” October 2, 2017.
FedEx (1982–2008) Ken May began his career at FedEx in 1982 as a night-shift supervisor, eventually rising through 13 roles over 25 years.CNN Money, “The head of FedEx Kinkos discusses his new strategy,” January 18 2007.The Federal Lawyer, “An Interview with Ken May — CEO and Philanthropist,” December 2015. As Senior Vice President of U.S. Operations, he managed approximately 60,000 employees and a multibillion-dollar budget for U.S. ground services.Wikipedia: Ken May
Following FedEx’s acquisition of Kinko’s in 2004, May was appointed COO of the combined FedEx Kinko’s unit, leading integration efforts and restructuring store formats.Strategy+Business, “FedEx Delivers on the Deal,” August 28 2006. In January 2006, he became President and CEO of FedEx Kinko’s (later renamed FedEx Office), overseeing 22,000 employees, 1,800 locations, and over $2 billion in revenue. Under his leadership, employee turnover fell from 80% to 18% and customer complaints dropped by 65%.Wikipedia: Ken MayThe Commercial Appeal via Wikipedia He resigned as CEO effective March 31, 2008 to focus on family and new professional opportunities.Post & Parcel, “Ken May resigns as leader of FedEx Kinkos,” March 7 2008.
Krispy Kreme (2011–2012) In November 2011, May was appointed President and COO of Krispy Kreme, overseeing global operations across 21 countries and driving $450 million in revenue.Nation’s Restaurant News, “Krispy Kreme names Kenneth May president, COO,” November 28 2011.The Federal Lawyer, December 2015. He launched an innovative “store of the future” concept, which revamped retail layouts and improved unit-level economics.The Federal Lawyer, December 2015.
Drive Shack Inc. (2018–2019) In November 2018, May was appointed CEO and President of Drive Shack Inc., bringing extensive sports entertainment experience.Drive Shack press release, November 12 2018.Drive Shack Q4 2018 Results, December 2018. During his tenure, the company proceeded with divesting traditional golf courses (selling 15 courses for $115 million) and refocused on entertainment-centric venues with interactive golf gameplay, food and beverage, and technology-enabled customer experiences.Drive Shack Q4 2018 Results; Business Wire, January 11 2019.
JumpShot (2022–2024) In May 2023, May was named CEO of JumpShot, a basketball entertainment and analytics company, transitioning from a strategic advisor role he held since 2022.FoundersIB, “Former Topgolf CEO, Ken May, Joins Brands Y'all 2024 Speaker Circuit,” December 7 2023.LinkedIn announcement, May 2023. He led the development of data-driven fan engagement tools and growth strategies until stepping down in mid-2024.FoundersIB; LinkedIn.
Philanthropy and nonprofit work
March of Dimes (2007–2011) From 2007 to 2011, May did two consecutive two-year terms as the Chairman of the National Board of Trustees for the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization focused on improving the health of babies and supporting maternal and infant care initiatives.The Federal Lawyer, “An Interview with Ken May — CEO and Philanthropist,” December 2015.
In this leadership role, May helped steer the national strategic direction of the organization, collaborating with healthcare professionals, researchers, and community leaders to address birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. He played an instrumental role in fundraising and awareness efforts and worked to expand access to maternal healthcare resources across the country.
During his tenure, the March of Dimes emphasized educational outreach and evidence-based support for mothers and families, aligning with May’s broader leadership philosophy of empowering teams and communities to thrive.The Federal Lawyer, December 2015.
In popular culture May has frequently been associated with the iconic volleyball "Wilson" from the 2000 film Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks as a FedEx executive stranded on a deserted island. Numerous reports claim that shortly after the film’s release, May acquired one of the original screen-used Wilson volleyball props at auction for approximately $18,500. However, the accuracy of this claim remains unverified, and May has not publicly confirmed ownership of the prop.
References
External links Ken May on LinkedIn