Ric Leutwyler
BOARD DIRECTOR | FOUNDER | MENTOR
Board Director with extensive international experience and significant executive leadership accomplishments in both business and philanthropy. Success in leading small and large, public and private business organizations across multiple industries. Proven leadership talents in strategy, innovation, marketing, operations and technology.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• Board Director, CEO, COO, CMO, President, Executive Vice President, General Manager
• Leadership roles in standalone enterprises, corporate subsidiaries, strategic business units and start ups
• Led workforces of up to 5,000 personnel and as many as 18 offices around the globe.
• Launched new businesses and new lines of business.
• Experienced in merger, acquisition and divestiture.
• Success in leading both rapid growth and necessary downsizing.
• Currently mentoring one CEO and several founders.
• Member NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors)
CAREER HISTORY
Trinity County, California
January 2023 to Present
District 1 Supervisor – Representing residents of district 1 on the Trinity County Board of Supervisors. Committed to making a difference.
Evidence Solutions, Inc
May 2020 to Present
CEO – Leading this small business in efforts to improve operations and dramatically grow revenues. Already experiencing 100% growth in incoming business.
Orchard: Africa
2011 to Present
Board Director, CEO Advisor and Compensation Committee – Providing support to this amazing nonprofit – restoring hope to the vulnerable by creating sustainable change in Southern Africa.
Arizona State University
2016 to Present
Venture Mentor – Mentoring startup founders (in different industries and stages of development) through ASU’s Venture Devils entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Philanthropegie
2011 to Present
Founder & President – launched and host a web-based platform serving nonprofits and the individuals and organizations committed to their success.
Event Spark
2015 to 2019
CEO & Board Director – providing leadership as needed for this small startup in the event space market.
SkyTouch Technology
2012 to 2014
President – Launched a new (cloud-based, SaaS) business as part of Choice Hotel’s strategic growth initiatives. Led all aspects of bringing a new business and product to market. Created momentum and credibility in the marketplace, built an entrepreneurial leadership team and culture of innovation, moved quickly to generate revenues and create a significant sales pipeline.
Pegasus Solutions
2008 to 2011
CMO/COO – Pegasus Solutions, President – Utell Hotels & Resorts 2008 to 2011
Led comprehensive cultural change– achieving a 35% increase in brand image.
Drove new revenue streams and notable industry recognition – 2011 Stevie Award for Best New Product or Service of the Year, Top 50 on 2010 Information Week 500 and CIO 2010 Magazine 100 Award.
Increased new sales pipeline by more than 300%. Increased customer satisfaction and employee engagement while reducing operating expenses by 34%.
Responsible for customers in over 100 countries and the team members serving them in 18 offices around the globe.
Best Western International
2002 to 2008
Senior Vice President – Interfaced regularly with the Board of Directors. $40 million P&L accountability, $8+ million regional marketing budget and $3+ million online marketing budget.
Boosted revenue from online sales 250+% within 24 months and generated $7+ million in operational efficiencies.
Cendant Corporation
1991 to 2002
VP, SVP, EVP & General Manager, President and CEO (of business units within the parent company) – Global Diversified Enterprise – divested into Wyndham Worldwide, Avis Budget Group, Affinion, Realogy
Held P&L accountability for $750 million in annual revenue, 15 core membership programs, 25 products. Delivered $17 million improvement in EBITDA.
Led team of 1,900 employees in five operating sites — providing marketing services and benefits product/services to 8+ million members/customers of corporate partner clients.
CEO of Central Credit, Inc. – a $7 million EBITDA business in the highly regulated gaming industry, concurrent to serving as President RCI Travel and Senior VP of Call Center Operations
Managed a high-volume (30 million calls per year) call center organization with 5,000 people in as many as nine locations in U.S. and Canada,
AT&T
1983 to 1991
Held eight field and corporate staff positions in sales, marketing and sales management as part of the AT&T Leadership Development Program (Kansas City, MO – Basking Ridge, NJ – Atlanta, GA – Lexington, KY – Phoenix, AZ)
United States Marine Corps
1977 to 1980
EDUCATION
• BBA, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa
Dual Major – Marketing and Industrial Relations & Human Resources
• Graduate Studies – Georgia State, Colorado State University & University of Phoenix
APPOINTMENTS
Director – Orchard: Africa
2011 to Present
Director – Event Spark
2015 to 2020
Committee Co-Chair – AH&LA
2007 to 2008
Director – UMOM New Day Center
1995 to 1998
RECOGNITION
2014 – “10 to Watch 2015” – by Hotel Business Magazine
2010 – “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing” – by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
1989 – “Kentucky Colonel” – by the Governor & Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
1977 – “Leatherneck Award” – by the United States Marine Corps