ConocoPhillips White House Lecture Series - 11/27/2006
Robert E. Rich, Jr.
Mr. Rich is Chairman of Rich Products Corporation, the largest family-owned frozen foods manufacturer in the United States. He has led the company to more than $2.4 billion in worldwide sales revenue. Rich Products, which manufacturers and markets toppings and icings, bakery products, beverages, seafood, Italian specialties, and appetizers, continues to enter new markets with cutting edge management practices, high business ethics and customer service standards which have earned Rich distinction as one of the nation's most dynamic business leaders.
Mr. Rich began his road to success in Buffalo where he was a high school quarterback and hockey goaltender. Mr. Rich earned his Bachelor's degree in 1963 from Williams College; and upon graduation, returned to Buffalo to play professional hockey for the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League.
Following active duty with the Army National Guard, he joined Rich Products in 1964 and received a complete introduction to the company in the role of President of Rich Products of Canada. He earned his MBA with honors from the University of Rochester Simon School of Business and returned full time to Rich Products as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He assumed the positions held by his father and mentor, Robert E. Rich, when he was named President of Rich's in 1978 and later Chairman in 2006.
Today his is active on many corporate boards and organizations including The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Extra Mile Transportation, Inc., and The International Game Fish Association. He is a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Leadership Council, the United States Squash Association, and is a spokesman for Meals on Wheels. In 2003, Mr. Rich and wife, Mindy, stepped down as chairpersons after 17 years with Western New York United Against Drugs and Alcohol Abuse, a non-profit organization founded by Rich which is dedicated to fighting substance abuse and educating children throughout Western New York. They will remain involved in the cause as emeritus members of the board.
Mr. Rich serves as President and CEO of Bison Baseball Inc., Wichita Baseball, Inc., and Jamestown Baseball, Inc. and is the Commissioner of the National Baseball Congress.
Mr. Rich is an avid fisherman and is the author of The Fishing Club: Brothers and Sisters of the Angle. The Fishing Club is in its second printing and the entire proceeds go to the favorite charities of the 14 individuals profiled in his book, such as The Jimmy Fund, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, SIFE, IGFA and others. Rich is also the author of Fish Fights: A Hall of Fame Quest and Secrets from the Delphi Café and is a regular guest on ESPN.