Wendell Mayes, Jr. has spent the last three decades working to improve the lives of people with diabetes. His son, Wendell III, was diagnosed with diabetes at age ten. Since then, Mr. Mayes has been an active volunteer, lending his business and leadership talents to diabetes organizations. He served as Chairman of the ADA for three years and as President of the International Diabetes Federation from 1991 to 1994.

The ADA has honored Mr. Mayes with several awards including naming its highest non-scientific award on his behalf. He was presented with the first Wendell Mayes, Jr. Medal in 1986. He became the first Chairman of the Texas Diabetes Council in 1983 and was the first inductee into the Texas Diabetes Hall of Fame. Mr. Mayes has been a radio broadcasting and cable television executive for 60 years. In 1973, he received the George Foster Peabody Award. He has held leadership positions with the Texas Association of Broadcasters and the National Association of Broadcasters.

An Electrical Engineering graduate of Texas Tech University, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1981 and a Distinguished Engineer in 1985 by the university. Mr. Mayes served as a member of the Texas Tech Board of Regents from 1985 to 1991 and as its Chairman from 1986 to 1988. In 1999, Mr. Mayes returned to school and, in 2002, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from St. Edward's University in Austin. Mr. Mayes received his Masters of Liberal Arts degree in 2005 and his Master of Business Administration degree in 2006.