Richard Schwartz
Chairman of the Board
Richard W. Schwartz is Chairman of the Board of Winsupply Inc. He is an advisor and advocate for the strategic direction of the organization. He assists with ongoing training efforts, is an ambassador, and visits Winsupply local companies. He also helps reinforce the basic principles and philosophy of the company and represents the interests of shareholders.
Schwartz is a graduate of the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering, and is a recipient of the university’s Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award. He is a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who served in the Reserve at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Schwartz began his career with Winsupply’s predecessor, Primus Inc., in 1972 when the organization had 40 locations and sales of $35 million. Today, after increasing the number of locations by more than 15 times, the organization’s annual sales were $7.8 billion at the end of the fiscal year Jan. 31, 2025 and employs some 9,000 employees nationwide.
In 1978, Schwartz became a member of the Primus Board of Directors and was elected president in 1998. He led development of the organization’s service companies in the areas of accounting, finance, data processing, and support services. Schwartz also was instrumental in the growth and development of three of the now seven Winsupply regional distribution centers.
As CEO and chairman, Schwartz emphasized strategic planning; increased the board’s involvement in strategic decision-making and oversight; reorganized middle and upper management; strengthened vendor and industry partnerships; and improved use of capital. In July 2011, he relinquished the role as president to focus on CEO and chairman duties. In September 2015, Schwartz handed over his CEO duties while retaining the title of chairman.
In 2025, Schwartz was appointed to a six-member Academic Council to lead Wright State University’s state-mandated Center for Civics, Culture and Workforce. He has been a member of the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors since 2011. He is a member of the Dayton Rotary Club and Fairmont Presbyterian Church in Kettering, Ohio.
Schwartz formerly served as chairman of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. He also served on the Dayton Development Coalition Board; the Dayton Foundation Governing Board; and the American Supply Association’s Executive Committee.
Schwartz enjoys hiking, biking and flying private aircraft in his leisure time.
Richard Schwartz
Chairman of the Board
Richard W. Schwartz is Chairman of the Board of Winsupply Inc. He is an advisor and advocate for the strategic direction of the organization. He assists with ongoing training efforts, is an ambassador, and visits Winsupply local companies. He also helps reinforce the basic principles and philosophy of the company and represents the interests of shareholders.
Schwartz is a graduate of the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering, and is a recipient of the university’s Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award. He is a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who served in the Reserve at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Schwartz began his career with Winsupply’s predecessor, Primus Inc., in 1972 when the organization had 40 locations and sales of $35 million. Today, after increasing the number of locations by more than 15 times, the organization’s annual sales were $7.8 billion at the end of the fiscal year Jan. 31, 2025 and employs some 9,000 employees nationwide.
In 1978, Schwartz became a member of the Primus Board of Directors and was elected president in 1998. He led development of the organization’s service companies in the areas of accounting, finance, data processing, and support services. Schwartz also was instrumental in the growth and development of three of the now seven Winsupply regional distribution centers.
As CEO and chairman, Schwartz emphasized strategic planning; increased the board’s involvement in strategic decision-making and oversight; reorganized middle and upper management; strengthened vendor and industry partnerships; and improved use of capital. In July 2011, he relinquished the role as president to focus on CEO and chairman duties. In September 2015, Schwartz handed over his CEO duties while retaining the title of chairman.
In 2025, Schwartz was appointed to a six-member Academic Council to lead Wright State University’s state-mandated Center for Civics, Culture and Workforce. He has been a member of the Reagan Ranch Board of Governors since 2011. He is a member of the Dayton Rotary Club and Fairmont Presbyterian Church in Kettering, Ohio.
Schwartz formerly served as chairman of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. He also served on the Dayton Development Coalition Board; the Dayton Foundation Governing Board; and the American Supply Association’s Executive Committee.
Schwartz enjoys hiking, biking and flying private aircraft in his leisure time.
