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, the organization has grown to more than 15 times that size, reaching $8.4 billion in annual sales at the end of the fiscal year Jan. 31, 2026, and employing approximately 9,500 people nationwide.
He became a member of the Primus Board of Directors in 1978 and was elected President in 1998. Schwartz led development of the organization’s service companies across accounting, finance, data processing, and support services, and played a key role in the growth and development of three of Winsupply’s regional Distribution Centers.
As CEO and Chairman, Schwartz emphasized strategic planning, increased board involvement in governance, strengthened vendor and industry partnerships, and improved capital utilization. He relinquished the role of President in 2011 and CEO duties in 2015, while continuing to serve as 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, the organization has grown to more than 15 times that size, reaching $8.4 billion in annual sales at the end of the fiscal year Jan. 31, 2026, and employing approximately 9,500 people nationwide.
He became a member of the Primus Board of Directors in 1978 and was elected President in 1998. Schwartz led development of the organization’s service companies across accounting, finance, data processing, and support services, and played a key role in the growth and development of three of Winsupply’s regional Distribution Centers.
As CEO and Chairman, Schwartz emphasized strategic planning, increased board involvement in governance, strengthened vendor and industry partnerships, and improved capital utilization. He relinquished the role of President in 2011 and CEO duties in 2015, while continuing to serve as 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.
