JOE MAYNARD

Joe and Cathi Maynard are deeply dedicated

Jto investing in and growing the community. We recently had the chance to talk with Joe, and learn more about him, his business, and his journey to Clarksville.

We would love to start off with a little bit of your background. Where are you originally from, and why did you decide to call Clarksville home?

I am from Nashville and wound up here so our Grandchildren could live on a “family property” in a small college town. Plus, my older son retired from Fort Campbell (101st Aviation Brigade), older Grandson station at Ft Campbell in 160th, I am retired Army, and Nashville Airport is close.

Can you tell us about your career in the military?

I retired in 1994 as a Senior NCO from a very small, less than 150 in the Army, and in a highly technical field, Prime Power. I was stationed at Fort Stewart, Fort Belvoir (twice), Fort Bragg, West Point, Berlin, and Panama. Met my Mrs. of 38 years, Cathi, at West Point where she was a MP!

My positions included Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Operations NCO, Detachment NCO, DOD Instructor, and Senior Power Plant Operator. I received many awards but they don’t matter as much as positions, which don’t matter much at all.

What led to the founding of ECHO Power Engineering?

Frustration with a multibillion-dollar company that changed its policies and limited the growth of me and my organization in terms of opportunities.

What do you love most about your industry?

Several things. The key ones are unlimited growth potential with great customers, positive impacts on customers and communities, working nationally, and the opportunity to enhance our ECHO folks’ lives.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

The positive impacts on my personal, professional, and community families, and the ability to leave a family legacy in Clarksville all in a Christian manner.

A few months ago, you announced plans for an incredible restaurant concept in Downtown. What inspired the concept and location?

Cathi’s lifelong dream was to someday own a restaurant, so the property struck us both as the place for something with a Skyline Bar. Realizing that required 2-3 stories, we decided “Two restaurants and a Bar” would be the concept. Fine Italian is something we both enjoy and felt was an underserved cuisine in Clarksville, so Gatte Cucina (Cat’s Kitchen) was an easy decision. The 1st floor (Joe’s Garage) stems from our enjoyment and ownership of very nice muscle cars that we thought would attract folks and generate opportunities for folks to enjoy a varied menu and us to have some carrelated events and specials. Location was a target of opportunity that seemed unavoidable, especially since the MPEC agreement with APSU was signed a week after we bought the property. It also meets our desire to “invest” in Clarksville!

We have purchased other downtown properties as our investment in Clarksville is meant to be ongoing.

When are you planning to break ground?

Ground started moving a bit in May, and serious work is starting by mid-June.

Your prolific community involvement is wonderful, can you tell us about your philanthropic pursuits, including any organizations, boards, or causes you are particularly passionate about?

Cathi and I have a desire to help children, vets and homeless. Thus, we are passionate about these charities:

• A Soldiers Child • Operation Stand Down • American Mobility Project • The Nashville Rescue Mission • YAIPAKS • Manna Café

We also believe that supporting APSU Athletics through an endowed Scholarship for Veterans, and a new Fund of Excellence fits into our philanthropic goals as does a successful Clarksville Academy. Our younger Grandson attends CA, and our Granddaughter attends APSU.

I am on the Board of Directors of Operation Stand Down and Clarksville Academy, and Cathi and I are the Directors of the APSU Joe and Cathi Maynard Family Fund of Excellence.