Robert E. Rich, Jr.

Robert E. Rich, Jr. is Chairman of Rich Products Corporation, the largest family-owned frozen foods manufacturer in the United States, based in Buffalo, New York. With a net worth of $3 billion he is listed at number 592 on the Forbes 2014 list of global billionaires.[1]

History

Robert E. Rich, Jr. graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts/Science in 1963. In 1964 he joined Rich Products, a company started by his father, as President of a startup subsidiary, Rich Products of Canada. Rich served in the United States National Guard from 1963 to 1969 and was a member of the Army Reserve Officer School Staff. He took time out to earn a Master of Business Administration (with honors) from the University of Rochester in 1969. Returning to the company he created the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In 1978 he was named President of Rich's.[2] In 2006 when his father died in Palm Beach Robert Jr inherited 56% of Rich Products and assumed the title of Chairman.[3]

Outside activities

In 1983 Rich Products expanded outside food with the purchase of the Buffalo Bisons minor league baseball team.[4] The Bisons are the AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. He also owns the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (the AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals), and the West Virginia Black Bears (the short-season class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates).[5] He is also on the Trustees Council of the University of Rochester.

Robert lives in Islamorada, Florida. He is married and has 4 children. His wife, Mindy, is Vice Chairman of Rich Products and has been with the company for over 24 years.[6] Hollywood is making movie out of his memoir, "Fish Fights."[7] The book documents his quest - to qualify for the Metropolitan South Florida Fishing Tournament Hall of Fame.[8] He is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Game Fish Association and is also a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America. A member of the board of trustees of the Cleveland Clinic since 2002, Rich was appointed Chairman in 2011. [9]

References

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