Jonathan R. Hargreaves
Jonathan Robert Hargreaves has spent over 25 years at the intersection of materials science and business strategy. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a BSc in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from Emory University's Goizueta Business School, Jonathan entered the coatings industry in 1998 as a formulation chemist for a regional paint distributor.
By 2001, he had identified a persistent gap in the market: mid-tier manufacturers were producing paints with inconsistent quality controls, using outdated resin formulations, and offering little to no scientific backing for their product claims. He believed — correctly, as it turned out — that a manufacturer committed to rigorous chemistry, transparency, and genuine client service could command a loyal market.
In March 2002, Jonathan founded Gravitex Paint with a $340,000 seed investment, a team of three chemists, and a 4,000 sq. ft. pilot production facility in East Atlanta. Within two years, the company had secured its first commercial construction contract and begun distribution across the southeastern United States.
"We don't just produce paint. We engineer confidence — the confidence that every wall, every structure, every surface we touch will stand the test of time with elegance and integrity. Quality is not a department at Gravitex. It is a culture."
Today, under Jonathan's continued leadership, Gravitex operates from a 120,000 sq. ft. manufacturing campus, employs over 340 professionals across operations, R&D, sales, and design, and exports product to 14 countries. He serves on the board of the American Coatings Association and chairs the sustainability committee for the National Paint and Coatings Association.
Outside the boardroom, Jonathan is an avid fly fisherman, a mentor in the Atlanta Entrepreneurs Network, and a passionate advocate for STEM education in underserved communities — a cause Gravitex supports through its annual Foundation Grant Program.