Donald Rice
Encyclopedia
Donald Blessing Rice is a California businessman and senior government official. He has been president and chief executive officer of several large companies including RAND
Corporation, and has sat on numerous boards of directors, including Wells Fargo & Company. Rice also served as the seventeenth Secretary of the Air Force, 1989–93.
, the son of Donald B. Rice, Sr., and Mary C. Rice. His father operated a service station, and later started a tire business, eventually becoming mayor of Frederick, while his mother kept the books for the family business. Both parents stressed the need for a good education. Business, public service and education were all important influences on Rice as he grew up.
He earned a BS degree in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame
and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Ordnance Corps upon graduation in June 1961. On August 25, 1962, Rice married Susan Fitzgerald. The couple are the parents of three sons, Donald B. Rice III, Joseph J. Rice, and Matthew F. Rice.
at Monterey, California
. While on active duty, he earned a master's degree in industrial management from Purdue University
in 1962, and then a doctorate in economics in 1965 also from Purdue.
In 1967, Rice became director of cost analysis in the Office of the Secretary of Defense
in Washington, D.C. Two years later, he was appointed as deputy assistant secretary of defense for resource analysis where he was responsible for cost analysis, manpower and logistics requirements, and budget planning for defense programs. From 1970 to 1972, he served as assistant director in the Office of Management and Budget. In this position, he managed Federal Government budget activities for agriculture, atomic energy, commerce, energy, environment, natural resources, public works, science and technology, space, and transportation.
In 1972, Rice became president and chief executive officer of RAND Corporation, an independent, nonprofit, public service think tank
in Santa Monica, California
. RAND conducts research and strategic analysis on national security issues and offers doctoral degree programs in several fields of public policy. During this time, Rice also serve as chairman of the National Commission on Supplies and Shortages and two terms on the National Science Board
. At the request of President Ronald Reagan
, he directed a comprehensive study of the resources management process within the United States Department of Defense
.
He remained at RAND until May 1989 when President George H. W. Bush
appointed him Secretary of the Air Force. As the Air Force Secretary, Rice reorganized the Air Force
and reduced its budget. The first Gulf War
, also known as "Desert Storm", was fought while he was Secretary. Rice served for four years, from May 22, 1989, until he left the Department of the Air Force on January 20, 1993.
Rice has been president of the Institute of Management Sciences, a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
, the American Economic Association and the United States Commission on National Security in the 21st century, and a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.
Active in Republican politics, he has been a member of McCain 2000, George W. Bush
for President, Bush-Cheney '04, John McCain 2008, the National Republican Congressional Committee
, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee
.
in March 1993, serving until August 1996. He left Teledyne to become president and chief executive officer of Agensys Corporation, a Santa Monica based biotechnology
company. In 2002, he became chairman of the Agensys board of directors.
Rice has served on numerous corporate boards. These include Chevron Corporation
, Johnson & Johnson
, Pacific Enterprises, Scios, Teledyne, Wells Fargo & Company, Unocal, Amgen
, and Vulcan Materials Company
. He was chairman of the board of directors of Scios from 1998 until its sale to Johnson & Johnson in 2003. Rice is a member of RAND board of trustees, and chairman of the board of governors for RAND’s Pardee Graduate School. He is also a member of the equipment advisory committee for the PGA Tour.
In 1999, Rice received the Wanner Award from the Military Operations Research Society
. Other awards include the Citation Award from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Air Force Association
’s Symington Award, and the Jaycees’ Ten Outstanding Young Men recognition. He is a Ford Foundation
doctoral fellow. Rice was also awarded Distinguished Civilian Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal
from the Secretary of the Defense.
RAND
RAND Corporation is a nonprofit global policy think tank first formed to offer research and analysis to the United States armed forces by Douglas Aircraft Company. It is currently financed by the U.S. government and private endowment, corporations including the healthcare industry, universities...
Corporation, and has sat on numerous boards of directors, including Wells Fargo & Company. Rice also served as the seventeenth Secretary of the Air Force, 1989–93.
Early life
Rice was born in 1939 in Frederick, MarylandFrederick, Maryland
Frederick is a city in north-central Maryland. It is the county seat of Frederick County, the largest county by area in the state of Maryland. Frederick is an outlying community of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of a greater...
, the son of Donald B. Rice, Sr., and Mary C. Rice. His father operated a service station, and later started a tire business, eventually becoming mayor of Frederick, while his mother kept the books for the family business. Both parents stressed the need for a good education. Business, public service and education were all important influences on Rice as he grew up.
He earned a BS degree in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Ordnance Corps upon graduation in June 1961. On August 25, 1962, Rice married Susan Fitzgerald. The couple are the parents of three sons, Donald B. Rice III, Joseph J. Rice, and Matthew F. Rice.
Public service
From 1965 to 1967, he served on active duty as a lieutenant and then captain of ordnance. During that time, he was assistant professor of management and acting deputy director for academics at the Navy Management Systems Center in the Naval Postgraduate SchoolNaval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
at Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
. While on active duty, he earned a master's degree in industrial management from Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
in 1962, and then a doctorate in economics in 1965 also from Purdue.
In 1967, Rice became director of cost analysis in the Office of the Secretary of Defense
Office of the Secretary of Defense
The Office of the Secretary of Defense is a headquarters-level staff of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. It is the principal civilian staff element of the Secretary of Defense, and it assists the Secretary in carrying out authority, direction and control of the Department...
in Washington, D.C. Two years later, he was appointed as deputy assistant secretary of defense for resource analysis where he was responsible for cost analysis, manpower and logistics requirements, and budget planning for defense programs. From 1970 to 1972, he served as assistant director in the Office of Management and Budget. In this position, he managed Federal Government budget activities for agriculture, atomic energy, commerce, energy, environment, natural resources, public works, science and technology, space, and transportation.
In 1972, Rice became president and chief executive officer of RAND Corporation, an independent, nonprofit, public service think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
. RAND conducts research and strategic analysis on national security issues and offers doctoral degree programs in several fields of public policy. During this time, Rice also serve as chairman of the National Commission on Supplies and Shortages and two terms on the National Science Board
National Science Board
The National Science Board of the United States is composed of 25 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate, representing the broad U.S. science and engineering community. The Board establishes the policies of the National Science Foundation within the framework...
. At the request of President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, he directed a comprehensive study of the resources management process within the United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
.
He remained at RAND until May 1989 when President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
appointed him Secretary of the Air Force. As the Air Force Secretary, Rice reorganized the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and reduced its budget. The first Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, also known as "Desert Storm", was fought while he was Secretary. Rice served for four years, from May 22, 1989, until he left the Department of the Air Force on January 20, 1993.
Rice has been president of the Institute of Management Sciences, a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
, the American Economic Association and the United States Commission on National Security in the 21st century, and a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.
Active in Republican politics, he has been a member of McCain 2000, George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
for President, Bush-Cheney '04, John McCain 2008, the National Republican Congressional Committee
National Republican Congressional Committee
The National Republican Congressional Committee is the Republican Hill committee which works to elect Republicans to the United States House of Representatives....
, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee
National Republican Senatorial Committee
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is the Republican Hill committee for the United States Senate, working to elect Republicans to that body. The NRSC was founded in 1916 as the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee...
.
Businessman
After he left the Air Force, Rice became president and chief operating officer of TeledyneTeledyne
Teledyne Technologies Incorporated is an industrial conglomerate primarily based in the United States but with global operations. It was founded in 1960, as Teledyne, Inc., by Henry Singleton and George Kozmetsky....
in March 1993, serving until August 1996. He left Teledyne to become president and chief executive officer of Agensys Corporation, a Santa Monica based biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
company. In 2002, he became chairman of the Agensys board of directors.
Rice has served on numerous corporate boards. These include Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
, Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
, Pacific Enterprises, Scios, Teledyne, Wells Fargo & Company, Unocal, Amgen
Amgen
Amgen Inc. is an international biotechnology company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. Located in the Conejo Valley, Amgen is the world's largest independent biotech firm. The company employs approximately 17,000 staff members. Its products include Epogen, Aranesp, Enbrel, Kineret,...
, and Vulcan Materials Company
Vulcan Materials Company
Vulcan Materials Company , based in Birmingham, Alabama is principally engaged in the production, distribution and sale of construction materials. Vulcan is the largest producer of construction materials, primarily gravel, crushed stone, and sand, and employs approximately 9,700 people at over 356...
. He was chairman of the board of directors of Scios from 1998 until its sale to Johnson & Johnson in 2003. Rice is a member of RAND board of trustees, and chairman of the board of governors for RAND’s Pardee Graduate School. He is also a member of the equipment advisory committee for the PGA Tour.
Awards
Rice has received five honorary doctorates degrees. His first honorary degree was a doctorate in Engineering from Notre Dame in 1975; his second, in Management, was from Purdue in 1985; he received a third, in Laws, from Pepperdine in 1989; the fourth, was in Humane Letters, from West Coast University in 1993; and the most recent, in Public Policy, from the RAND graduate school in 1995.In 1999, Rice received the Wanner Award from the Military Operations Research Society
Military Operations Research Society
The Military Operations Research Society is a society for professionals active within defense applications of operations research in the United States...
. Other awards include the Citation Award from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Air Force Association
Air Force Association
The Air Force Association is an independent, 501 non-profit, civilian education organization, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia...
’s Symington Award, and the Jaycees’ Ten Outstanding Young Men recognition. He is a Ford Foundation
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is a private foundation incorporated in Michigan and based in New York City created to fund programs that were chartered in 1936 by Edsel Ford and Henry Ford....
doctoral fellow. Rice was also awarded Distinguished Civilian Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
from the Secretary of the Defense.