Storage Zone Founder Gives $10M to USF | MSM

James “Jay” Nault, president and owner of Storage Zone Self Storage and Business Centers, which operates more than 30 storage facilities throughout the southeast, has just made a donation of $10 million to his alma mater, the University of South Florida (USF). The donation will go toward supporting the newly anointed USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship, which is designed to ensure future business leaders continue to receive a world-class education.

Nault, who also founded Jacksonville, Florida’s Anclote Holding Company, Inc., a privately owned real estate holding company, earned his bachelor’s in finance from USF in 1983 before going on to receive his MBA from the university in 1984. Now, he’s giving back by investing in the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs. “My journey as a lifelong entrepreneur started right here at USF,” says Nault. “I am inspired by the many students in this program and can’t wait to see all of the great work done by its alumni.”

The center’s master’s degree program, founded in 2002, is ranked by The Princeton Review as No. 1 in the South and No. 5 nationally for all public universities. More than 1,000 center alumni have opened approximately 300 businesses in just the past decade. Nault’s donation will be put toward expanding the center’s educational opportunities, mentoring programs, Shark Tank-style pitch competitions, and degree options for executives.

“We are so grateful for Jay’s generosity, which will bolster USF’s nationally ranked, interdisciplinary entrepreneurship center in the Muma College of Business,” says USF President Rhea Law. “USF continues to be a hub of innovation on the world stage, and this gift will have a direct impact on shaping our students to become tomorrow’s business leaders.”

This isn’t the first time Nault has given back to his alma mater or shown his own entrepreneurial side. In the past, he has provided scholarships for entrepreneurship students and Life Membership in the USF Alumni Association, among other gifts. Support from alumni like Nault has helped USF earn an invitation to join the Association of American Universities, representing the top 3% of research universities in the U.S. and Canada.

“It’s a great day for USF students and our entire community when a business leader like Jay Nault makes such a significant investment to provide resources and opportunities for our motivated scholars,” says USF Foundation CEO Jay Stroman. “For one of our alumni to give back so generously is truly inspiring. We simply can’t thank him enough.”

Read more about other charitable deeds by self storage operators in MSM’s Helping Hands.