Minneapolis, Mn., USA — Best Buy and its founder, Richard M. Schulze, announced that Mr. Schulze is returning to the company as its chairman emeritus.[break]
Mr. Schulze founded Best Buy Co. Inc., 1983 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from February 1983 to June 30, 2002. He worked for six years as an independent manufacturer's representative, selling national name brand consumer electronics components throughout a four - March 26, 2013, Minneapolis, Mn., USA — Best Buy and its founder, Richard M. Schulze, announced that Mr. Schulze is returning to the company as its chairman emeritus.
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Mr. Schulze founded Best Buy Co. Inc., 1983 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from February 1983 to June 30, 2002. He worked for six years as an independent manufacturer's representative, selling national name brand consumer electronics components throughout a four-state area. This experience, coupled with an aggressive, contagious and enthusiastic management style, led Mr. Schulze to found Sound of Music in 1966.
Mr. Schulze has been the Chairman Emeritus of Best Buy. He served as the Chairman of Best Buy until June 2012. He founded and serves as Chairman of a chain of 1,900 stores throughout North America. He serves as Chairman of the Board of governors of the University of St. Thomas Business School. In 1992, he chaired the Pacesetters Division for the Minneapolis United Way Chapter. He serves as a Director of Pentair Inc.
Since June 30, 2002, Mr. Schulze has been a Trustee of the University of St. Thomas. He serves on the Boards of the Carlson School of Management's Board of Overseers, and the University of St. Thomas' Board of Trustees and Advisory Board for the Science and Technology Center. He has been Board Member of The National Entrepreneur of the Year Institute, since 1992. He served as a Director of Best Buy Co Inc. from 1996 to June 2012.
Mr. Schulze is a Member of the President's Council of Twin Cities Public Television. He is a member of the KARE-11 TV Eleven Who Care Board of Governors and assisted in the selection of the 1995 Eleven Who Care. He is a member of the Minnesota Business Partnership.
Mr. Schulze was awarded in 2002, International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Excel Award Recipient; In 2000, Outstanding Marketing Executive of the Year, awarded by Minnesota DECA; In 1999, National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) award winner; In 1999, he was named Corporate Leader of the Year by Juvenile Diabetes Foundation; In 1999, Lifetime Achievement Award, Minnesota Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award; In 1999, Recipient of America's Promise Red Wagon for Community Service, awarded by General Colin Powell; In 1999, Worth Magazine's Top 50 CEOs.
In 1998, Decades Top Executive Award, one of five, awarded by Twin Cities Business Monthly; In 1997, Top 10 Retail Executive, awarded by Computer Retail Week; In 1997, Dealer's Pride Award, awarded by Dealerscope Merchandising; In 1997, Top 10 Retailer Award, awarded by Audio/Video International for sixth consecutive year; In 1997, Top 100 Retailer, awarded by Twice Magazine; In 1996, #1 Pentium Processor Retailer in the World, by Intel Corp., 2nd consecutive year.
In 1998, he was awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. He gained practical, secondary and technical electronics training in the U.S. Air Force with the Minnesota Air National Guard.
Mr. Schulze graduated from St. Paul Central High School. He has an honorary degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
In addition, Mr. Schulze has nominated Brad Anderson and Al Lenzmeier to serve on the Best Buy Board of Directors. ■