Here’s a quiz: What do Pat Richter, Rich Lynch, Suzy Favor Hamilton, Bryan Renk, Randy Wright, Jim Bradley, Marsh Shapiro, Rob Andringa, and Joe Armentrout have in common?
Yes, University of Wisconsin (UW) sports fans! They were all successful UW athletes. In fact, some even gained international notoriety. But after the college (and in some cases, pro) hoopla died away, these folks chose to remain in the Madison area, and have since made names for themselves in a different, more local arena — the Dane County business community.
IB was interested in catching up with the “thens” and “nows” of this winning team in a three-part series. So come along with us as we meet our first executives, Randy Wright and Rich Lynch:
Randy Wright, CEO and owner, Wright Vending – Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Years playing for UW, Sport, Position: 1981-1983, Football, Quarterback
Coach: Dave McClain
Also, NFL quarterback, Green Bay Packers (1984-1988)
Radio announcer: UW Football (1991-1993), Arena Football (1994)
ESPN analyst for Big 10 Football (1995-2007)
Current Age: 48
Highest sports accolade or “claim to fame”?
First, the play that has lived on well past my career: the “bounce pass” (to Al Toon) in my junior year at UW. And the game against Indiana where I was knocked out with a concussion, taken to UW Hospital for tests, then came back and finished the game. Goes to show you how much medical expertise has changed. They would never allow that now!
What are you doing now?
I have Wright Vending, obviously, but I also spend several months a year at our place in Door County. Right now, I’m coaching football for Sturgeon Bay High School. I just love coaching. I want to continue to coach the high school kids and have the positive influence on them that my experience taught me. I find the kids talk to you the way you wish your kids did, and they tell you things you wish your kids didn’t.
How did the vending business come about?
I got into it because I wanted to pursue the options of owning my own business, but didn’t know how to do anything at the time. [After doing some research], I liked what the vending industry was about: customer service, personal relationships. We didn’t have to make anything. I felt I could open some doors and hire people who knew the business and run it for me. So we started from scratch. Jon Lancaster (Madison auto dealer) was my first account, and we still have him today. We now have around 900 customers, 48 employees and we do business in a 75-mile radius around our Fitchburg office. [Average annual sales: $9 million]
Most memorable business accomplishment:
The fact that we’ve been around almost 19 years, being that I only took one business course in college. But about six years ago, we picked up the UW-Madison account. That elevated us to a new level. It’s a pride thing, and certainly, UW is our largest customer.
How has the economy affected your vending business?
Not so much in the price of soda or snacks, but in the staff changes at my accounts. One, for instance, had 400 employees, now they have 220. So the economy has hit us in a very indirect way, and yet very directly.
Professional goal for Wright Vending:
To be able to give my children a choice, if and when they choose to become a part of this business, and to have a business that is profitable and stable.
Biggest career accomplishment:
1986, my third year with the Packers. I started every game as QB that year. There were 28 NFL teams at the time, and only six quarterbacks could say they played every game. That was one of my proudest moments and biggest accomplishments.
After that season, I was as beat up and sore as I’ve ever been in my life. Brett Favre has done this for 18 years! I know how physically beat up I was, and to think of Favre doing that is the most remarkable thing physically a person can do. The beating, strain and stress on your body … You get much older quicker. For him to do it at the level he’s done is unbelievable.
Fantasy Job:
Without a doubt, I wanted to be an FBI Agent. That’s what I went to school for. [In order to apply], I knew I needed to either be a lawyer or an accountant. I also needed a four-year degree and work experience. So I got a communications degree from UW, and then spent three years in football. When I left college, I immediately applied for the FBI and went through the entire application process. I got into the vending business, and 10 months afterwards, I learned I was accepted into the FBI. Staying in vending was the hardest decision I ever made in my life. But we had two young kids, and it became a lifetime decision over what I wanted versus what was best for the kids. The day I passed on the FBI job was also the saddest day of my life. It was the right decision for the right reasons, but there isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t think about it.
Best personal accomplishment:
The business, of course, but I’m also proud of the fact that my wife, Kelli, and I will celebrate 25 years together next year. Every year brings more pride and a sense of accomplishment that we’ve been together for that long. When I was playing professional football, the divorce rate among players was about 80%.
Favorite past time?
Golf [Wright is a 4 handicap]. I told my wife I’d never play more than once a day, and I’ve pretty much lived up to that!
Rich Lynch, President/Ownership Partner, J.H. Findorff & Son – Madison, WI
Years playing for UW, Sport: 1970-1974, Swimming
Coach: The great Jack Pettinger!
Current Age: 57
Highest sports accolade or “claim to fame”:
Being elected co-captain by my teammates, and also having an opportunity to race against Olympian Mark Spitz in a Big Ten dual meet at Indiana University (on TV). I came in second … he was already toweling off….
What are you doing currently/what is your business?
I am currently the President and an ownership partner with J. H. Findorff & Son Inc. established in 1890. We are a Builder/Construction Manager with offices in Madison and Milwaukee.
How did your participation and success in your sport help prepare you for your current career?
No question that being a student athlete provided challenges, discipline and opportunities that helped shape my approach to “life after college.” Organizational skills, time management and a competitive mindset come to mind initially. But in addition, team building, personal goal-setting, and a strong work ethic to achieve those goals have been great assets while moving through life.
What lessons, if any, did you learn from your participation in sports that may have followed into the world of business?
Arriving in Madison from outside Wisconsin, everyone on the UW swim team was new to me. While I wanted personally to fit in and do well in my individual events, it took time and patience to build relationships and develop a true team approach to success. Eventually it was equally as rewarding to see my teammates win … and have Wisconsin dominate! So I would say one “lesson learned” has to do with personal happiness or achievement … it can not be all about yourself. You need to also focus on others — your family, your work, getting to know new people and helping them succeed, and doing your best. Happiness and success should follow.
What challenges have you faced with owning/managing a business?
I’m guessing most business leaders could write books on the challenges they’ve faced at different points in their careers. Perhaps the most daunting at the moment is dealing with these economic times which are impacting our operations as well as those of our customers. To address this at Findorff, we have been focused on continually reducing fixed costs wherever possible, with the goal of keeping our valued employee base intact. Our commitment to continuous productivity initiatives and concentrated efforts in pre-job planning has positioned us as being very competitive. At the same time, we recognize that now is not the time to lose sight of strategic initiatives. We have to be ready and well positioned when the economy recovers. To reach that result requires a continued investment in good people, with training and growth opportunities to support them.
Your most memorable business accomplishment?
This is always a tough one … If I had to pick one project (in Madison) that often comes to mind and perhaps has the “most stories” associated with it, it would be Monona Terrace. We had the opportunity on this project to work with some of the most talented and committed individuals (i.e. George Austin) on a historical project that truly changed not only the skyline of Madison, but also its future.
What is a professional goal you have for J.H. Findorff?
Be aggressive, progressive and creative as we continue to be the builder/construction manager of choice in our markets. We need to persist in growing our business and at the same time stay committed to our ability to be a valued dependable resource to our customers, our employees and our community.
Biggest personal accomplishment?
First and foremost has to be raising our family … with lots of help from my wife, Mary. We have been very fortunate to have three “keepers” … all great kids. Along with that, the opportunity at be the President of Findorff … and to lead a great team of professionals and skilled trades people who are so committed to the quality, core values and service to the community.
What would be your fantasy job (if you weren’t with Findorff right now)?
I’d love to be a world-renowned (and well-funded!) travel photographer.
Favorite hobby when you’re not at work?
Swimming.
Read part two and part three of the “Athletes to Icons” series.
In Business magazine thanks the University Of Wisconsin Athletic Department for providing photos of the athletes, and particularly Michelle Ballweg at the National W Club at the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department, for helping us make the connections.
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