Melinda R. Rich, who served as vice chairman, executive vice president and a member of the board of directors for Rich Products Corp., was named chairman of the family-owned corporate parent, Rich Holdings Inc. 

In this long-planned transition, she succeeds Robert E. Rich Jr., who served as chairman for 16 years. Robert Rich is now senior chairman, and will support his wife as she leads the company.

Melinda Rich, known as Mindy, joined Rich’s in 1985 and worked in various roles as part of the leadership team, including executive vice president of innovation. In that position, she unified initiatives across the enterprise, established best practices and processes, and identified new business opportunities and technologies. She also expanded the breadth and accelerated the pace of product development in support of Rich’s long-term growth strategies. She also chairs the board’s Finance and Audit and Compensation and Organization committees. 

“This decision was made after years of very deliberate and careful planning,” Melinda Rich said in a message to Rich’s 12,500-plus associates worldwide. “Intentional succession planning is a crucial part of fostering a robust leadership pipeline – especially in a family-led company like ours. We expect and demand that our senior leaders actively participate in this kind of forethought, and we hold ourselves accountable to the same expectations as stewards of Rich Products and our family of businesses.”

Robert Rich said the planned transition is in keeping with the company’s strategic goals.

 “We are steadfast in our commitment to remaining a private, family-owned company,” he said. “This was a deep desire of our founder, my father, Robert E. Rich Sr. And, over the years, his aspiration morphed into an unwavering, family-wide directive that is as fundamental to our identity as a company as the delicious products we make.”

“Maintaining this core value requires diligent design and preparation at all levels of the organization, but particularly as it pertains to succession planning for our most senior leaders. In her role as chairman, Mindy will assume stewardship of our multi-billion dollar, global enterprise, leading us into the future,” Mr. Rich added. “I have every confidence in Mindy’s ability to leverage her vast experience and wisdom as chairman.”

Melinda Rich graduated from University of Colorado in 1979 with a B.A. in Psychology and Business. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree from The Culinary Institute of America in 2001 and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from D’Youville College in 2007. Prior to joining Rich’s, she also worked at Westwood Pharmaceuticals and Levy, King and White Companies Inc.

She received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Women’s Foodservice Forum Titan Award (2019), the Distinguished Fellow Award from Cleveland Clinic’s 1921 Society (2015) and the Women’s Foodservice Forum Trailblazer Award (2010). She and Mr. Rich are also active in fundraising to support cystic fibrosis research. 

“Mindy’s steadfast support and commitment to remaining a private, family-owned business that’s successful over the long-term cannot be understated,” said CEO Richard Ferranti. “Her leadership as chairman is key as we continue to transform our company to create greater value for our associates, customers and communities for generations to come.”