Bruce A. Richard

Outstanding Achievement Award Recipient

Carlson School of Management and Institute of Technology, September 24, 2009

Bruce A. Richard received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering (1954), a bachelor of science in economics (1963) and completed the Minnesota Executive Program (1978) from the business school at the University of Minnesota. Described as having mastered business at every level, he has held several high level positions including president of the Fortune 500-company Excel Energy. He founded Richard, Crisman, and Opitz, a consulting firm in the fields of energy management and medical waste management, and co-founded Electric Utility Systems Consultants, a company that specialized in electrical engineering, consulting, and expert witness testimony. Currently, he is the managing director and partner at Spell Capital Partners, a $40 million fund specializing in buy-outs and turnarounds of manufacturing, distribution, and service businesses in the Midwest. At then NSP, he is credited for building a foundation that enabled the company to pursue environmental leadership goals such as becoming the number one provider of wind energy in the nation. He has demonstrated his strong ties to the University by serving on the Institute of Technology's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's Industrial Advisory Council. He also established the Bruce and Joan Richard Scholarship, which provides funding for full-time undergraduate students from Minnesota who demonstrate evidence of community or business leadership or entrepreneurial skills. In addition to serving the University, he is active in local charity and community efforts including serving as president of the Indianhead Council of the Boy Scouts, Roseville Rotary Club and the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the Courage Center Board of Directors and St. John's University Board of Regents.

Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.