MTSU Trustee John Floyd honored, alum shares CPR story at Red Cross ‘Heroes Luncheon’

Middle Tennessee State University Board of Trustees member and Ole South Properties founder John Floyd has spent more than four decades building communities through construction and philanthropy. His long-standing commitment to helping others was recognized at the 2026 American Red Cross Heart of Tennessee Chapter Heroes Luncheon held Thursday, March 12, on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.

The luncheon took place in the Student Union Building Ballroom and brought together hundreds of attendees to celebrate community service and humanitarian efforts. Floyd expressed gratitude for the recognition during his remarks to the crowd.

“Thank you for this incredible honor. I’m truly humbled to be here today,” Floyd said.

Floyd founded Ole South Properties in 1986. The company has grown to become the largest independently owned homebuilder in Tennessee. Over the years, Floyd has also become known for his philanthropic work, donating more than $5 million to organizations that support children and families across the region. In 2023, he established the John D. Floyd Charitable Foundation to continue and expand those efforts.

While Floyd is proud of the homes and neighborhoods his company has built throughout Middle Tennessee, he says his charitable foundation is the accomplishment that means the most to him.

“When people introduce me, a lot of times they talk about Ole South and the amount of houses and neighborhoods we’ve built throughout Middle Tennessee,” Floyd said. “I’m more proud of the foundation than anything we could have done in the homebuilding business. It’s like being Santa Claus. It’s pretty cool. We get to just give out money. A lot of times the people are in dire straits when we do it. And the bottom line, we change lives.”

Floyd often shares a simple philosophy that guides his work: doing great deals is good, but giving to organizations that can truly change people’s lives matters most.

Each year, the American Red Cross Heart of Tennessee Chapter presents its Heroes Award to a member of the community who demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to the well-being of others. The award also recognizes individuals who often serve quietly behind the scenes without seeking attention or recognition.

According to Gloria Bonner, the 2025 Heroes Award recipient, Floyd fits that description well. Bonner, who serves on the local Red Cross board and is dean emeritus in the College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University, spoke about Floyd in a video presentation produced by Video Story Productions, a company owned by MTSU alumnus Nick Paranjape.

“John doesn’t like the spotlight, but the spotlight loves John Floyd,” Bonner said. “He is a community advocate, and his awareness about the needs of the community helps to set a standard for so many of us who believe in giving.”

The video also featured comments from John Mitchell, executive director of the Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mitchell highlighted Floyd’s long history of supporting the organization and helping communities recover from disasters, including the EF2 tornado that struck the Cannon County community of Readyville in 2023.

“John was very intentional about making sure everybody in that community got back in their home in Readyville one way or another,” Mitchell said. “He sees it as his opportunity to give back and say, ‘If somebody in my local community has suffered through something like the tornadoes in Readyville, I’m going to do everything I can, go above and beyond to make sure these people have been stabilized and moving forward.’”

The luncheon also featured the story of Middle Tennessee State University alumnus Alan Brown, whose experience highlighted the life-saving importance of Red Cross medical training.

Brown, a Murfreesboro businessman and longtime marathon runner, collapsed during a recreational baseball game at Old Fort Park after suffering sudden cardiac arrest. As his wife called 911, two bystanders in the crowd quickly recognized the emergency and began performing CPR.

Their fast response saved Brown’s life.

Today, Brown describes himself as one of the luckiest people in the world. He now encourages others to learn CPR, noting that more than 300,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States. Immediate action from bystanders during the first few minutes can make the difference between life and death.

Those interested in learning more about medical training through the American Red Cross or getting involved with the Heart of Tennessee Chapter can visit bit.ly/4sGzLzj.