Greensboro businessman Roy Carroll II – a name long familiar in the Triad for his real estate ventures and, at one time, his ownership of the Rhino Times – has been ranked No. 51 on Forbes’ 2026 Self-Made 250 list.
The list, released in April as part of the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary, highlights what Forbes calls the most successful self-made entrepreneurs in America – people who built their wealth through their own efforts rather than inheritance.
Carroll, the founder and CEO of The Carroll Companies, has spent decades building a widespread business that now spans multiple industries and carries an estimated value of roughly $6 billion.
The current owner of the Rhino Times unfortunately did not make the list.
According to the announcement by the nationally known magazine, Carroll’s path to success started early.
As a teenager, he was already saving money from odd jobs with the goal of buying property. He later teamed up with his father in a homebuilding business – eventually taking full control and using that as the launching pad for what would become a much larger real estate operation.
Today, The Carroll Companies’ portfolio includes multifamily housing, hotels, mixed-use developments and other large-scale projects – many of them in fast-growing areas where new development is reshaping communities.
“I’m honored to be included on this year’s Forbes Self-Made 250 list,” Carroll said in a statement. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams, the strength of our partnerships, and a long-standing commitment to building and growing responsibly for the communities we serve.”
The recognition puts Carroll among some of the most prominent entrepreneurs in the country, and it underscores the massive scale of a business that, while headquartered in Greensboro, now has a footprint that extends far beyond the Triad.
He has expanded his business over the years to billboard advertising; a chain of storage units and many other ventures.
Carroll’s name also carries local significance beyond real estate. He previously owned the Rhino Times, a publication known for its outspoken coverage of local government and politics.
Carroll has been prominent in both business and civic discussions in Greensboro and Guilford County over the years.
Forbes notes that those included on the list often overcame significant challenges on their way to success – a theme that aligns with Carroll’s early start and steady expansion over the years.
Carroll has at times clashed with local elected leaders and planning officials over the way his construction projects should be handled and he is known for being a tough negotiator. When he gets a project in mind he generally likes to move fast and sometimes red tape slows him down.
Carroll’s company, founded in 1983 and based in Greensboro, has grown into a diversified real estate operation involved in development, construction, ownership and management. The company’s projects are often community-focused developments aimed at long-term growth and economic impact.
Carroll’s competitive drive hasn’t been limited to real estate: He’s a well-known racing aficionado and, the last time the Rhino Times checked, he owned a good number of Ferraris.
In 2022, he was part of the driver lineup for his Bee Safe Racing team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the team’s Ferrari 488 GTE entry finished fifth in the GTE-Am class.
Forbes’ full Self-Made 250 list is available on the Forbes website.
