Luther H. Hodges Jr.

Hodges was born on November 19, 1936, in Leaksville (now Eden), North Carolina. In 1957, he received a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1961, he received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.[1]

In 1961, he became a research associate and corporate finance teacher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[1]

From 1962 to 1977, Hodges worked for North Carolina National Bank alongside Hugh McColl, eventually rising to the position of chairman.[2][1] The bank eventually became NationsBank and later Bank of America.[3]

Hodges entered politics in 1978, running for the nomination of the Democrats in the United States Senate election in North Carolina, 1978. He won the first round of the primary, with 40% of the vote, but, having failed to receive the 50% required to win on the first ballot, lost to populist North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance John Ingram with only 46% in the run-off.

Between 1980 and 1981, Hodges was the first United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce, appointed by Jimmy Carter.[1] Previously Under Secretary of Commerce, he had been tapped to replace Juanita M. Kreps as United States Secretary of Commerce, but, after a spell as Acting Secretary, the job went to Philip Klutznick, and the new Deputy Secretary position was created for him.[4]

From 1980 to 1990, he was chairman of Washington Bancorp, the parent company of The Bank of Washington.[5]

Later, Hodges owned the Hotel Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico.[2]

In 2016, Hodges wrote a book, Bank Notes: An Inside Look at the Launching of North Carolina's Banking Ascendancy and a Commentary on the Current New World of Banking.[3]

Hodges also is a former member of the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina and is a past chairman of the College of Santa Fe. He has also served as a trustee of American University and of Johnson C. Smith University. He is a director of Homeowners of America Insurance Corporation, Atmocean, Inc., and H&H Medical Technologies. He has also served as a member of the board of directors of the North Carolina State Ports Authority.[6]

Hodges began his political career as a Democrat, but later changed to Republican. In 2004, Hodges contributed more than $30,000 to Republican candidates including George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Senator Richard Burr. In 2012, Hodges contributed over $51,000 to Republican candidates and organizations including Mitt Romney, Renee Ellmers, (R-NC) and Virginia Foxx (R-NC).[7]