Thomas & Howard Company was founded in Durham, N.C., by C.C. Thomas and C.L. Howard, but gives most of the credit for its growth and survival, for more than 100 years, to J.E. Timberlake (a third partner to join the firm later). Mr. Timberlake expanded the company to a southern market. Thomas & Howard is a privately owned food distributor headquartered in Columbia, S.C. The company reports annual sales of more than $300 million. It operates three facilities in South Carolina that provide distribution services to convenience stores and restaurants primarily located in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.