Richard Manoogian, chairman emeritus of Masco Corp. in Livonia, died on Sept. 25 at the age of 90.
Manoogian was the son of Alex and Marie Manoogian. Alex, an Armenian immigrant and founder of Masco Corp., brought to market the single-handle Delta faucet, which today is a leading brand in the home improvement and remodeling industry.
Richard Manoogian joined Masco in 1958. He was elected to Masco’s board in 1964 and named president and COO in 1968. In his mid-twenties, Manoogian developed and then oversaw the execution of an expansion plan that ushered in an era of rapid growth at Masco.
During the period 1960-1980, under Manoogian’s leadership, Masco expanded its operations into the building and home improvement industries and acquired more than 100 companies.
He served as chairman and CEO from 1985-2007, when he stepped down and became executive chairman. When he joined Masco, company sales were $55 million. When he concluded his service as CEO in 2007, sales exceeded $8 billion. In 2012, he was named chairman emeritus.
“There are not enough words to adequately recognize the lifelong accomplishments, contributions and impact of Richard Manoogian,” says Jon Nudi, president and CEO of Masco Corp. “Richard lived a long, successful life, and leaves behind a legacy from his role at Masco and as a philanthropist, renowned art collector, and community leader. His integrity, his commitment to excellence and respect and care for each person will forever be a part of Masco.”
Manoogian was a past director of Ford Motor Co., Business Leaders for Michigan, Invest Detroit, and was chairman emeritus of The Detroit Institute of Arts board of directors, where he and his wife, Jane, were generous donors.
Active in numerous civic, cultural, and educational organizations, Manoogian was a member of The Henry Ford Board of Trustees, the Smithsonian Archives of American Art Board of Trustees, Fine Arts Committee of the United States Department of State, Armenian General Benevolent Union Central Board, and the Economic Club of Detroit.
He also served on the Savannah College of Art and Design Advisory Committee, was chairman of the Alex and Marie Manoogian Foundation, and president and treasurer of the Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation.
In addition, Manoogian was a member of the Yale Alumni Association, The American Federation of Arts, American Association of Museums, and Museum Trustee Association.
Most recently, Manoogian and his wife established the Richard and Jane Manoogian Art Gallery at the new A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center for the Performing Arts in Grosse Pointe Park. The gallery’s debut exhibit is the private collection of Richard and Jane Manoogian.
In lieu of flowers and in his memory, the family requests that donations be made to the following organizations: AGBU Alex & Marie Manoogian School, St. John’s Armenian Church, and Mackinac Island Community Foundation, specifically, the Richard and Jane Manoogian Fund for the Conservation and Preservation of Open Spaces.
For more information on the life of Richard Manoogian, visit here.
For more information about Masco Corp., visit masco.com.
