Joe (JM) Haggar Jr

Inducted 1993

J.M. Haggar, Jr., previously president and chief executive officer of Haggar Apparel Company, assumed the position of chairman of the board April 2, 1991. He has served as president since 1971 and chief executive officer since 1985.

Haggar grew up in the family’s apparel business beginning full-time involvement after his discharge from the US Navy in 1946. His role at Haggar began with overseeing Haggar’s manufacturing operations. With a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and industrial engineering from the University of Notre Dame, he has applied what he learned throughout his career, implementing modern manufacturing systems and equipment that have made Haggar the leader in apparel manufacturing technology. After being named president in 1971, his business scope covered all areas of the company.

His business affiliations include serving on the board of directors of Brinker International and ENSERCH Corporation.

His civic activities include serving on the boards of St. Paul Hospital Foundation of Dallas; the Board of Governors of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN and being named Chairman of the hospital’s $250 million endowment fund drive. He also served on the boards of the Dallas Medical Action Group and the Dallas Citizens Council.

In October 1990 he was appointed to the University of Notre Dame Board of Trustees and served on the Council for the College of Business Administration and is a member of the University Relations Board. He is a member and past president of the Notre Dame Club of Dallas, from which he has received the “Man of the Year” award.

An officer aboard the USS Sicily during World War II, Haggar has been honored by the Dallas chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Lone Star Chapter of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, which gave him its Distinguished American Award.