John Ed Anthony was born in Camden, AR and raised in various sawmill towns throughout both east Texas and south Arkansas. During his teenage years, John Ed worked in the Anthony family’s mills, learning the essentials of sawmill management through experience. 

He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in 1961.  That year, following the sudden death of his father, Edwin “Ted” Anthony, at age 48, John Ed immediately returned to south Arkansas, taking over management of the family’s scattered timberland and sawmill holdings.  In 1971, John Ed formed Anthony Timberlands, Inc. (ATI), consolidating the various family partnerships under the ATI umbrella.  During his tenure as President of ATI, John Ed oversaw the expansion of Anthony family land holdings to nearly 200,000 acres, modernization of the pine sawmill in Bearden, AR, as well as the purchase of a pine sawmill in Malvern, AR, and a hardwood sawmill in Beirne, AR.  Additionally, he led the formation of Anthony Hardwood Composites in Sheridan, AR and Anthony Wood Treating in Hope, AR.

In 2004, John Ed stepped down as President of ATI and into his new role as Chairman of the Board.  As Chairman, he remains an essential part of key operation decisions and all land and timber procurement activities for ATI and its affiliates.  For these accomplishments, in 2012, John Ed was elected into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. John Ed has also served as the President of the Arkansas Forest Association (AFA) and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA).

In addition to his career with ATI, John Ed has operated a nationally recognized thoroughbred horse racing and breeding operation, first under the name Loblolly Stable and later Shortleaf Stable.  His horses have been honored with three Eclipse Awards and he is a member of the New York Jockey Club.  In 2001, he was elected into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.