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About
Richard L. Hirsch is an American businessman and leader in Jewish philanthropy, particularly in support of Israel. He graduated from Brown University and joined his family's appliance manufacturing business, Welbilt Corporation (originally Welbilt Stove Company, founded by his father Henry Hirsch and uncle Alexander Hirsch in Queens, New York), in 1963 after college. He became president in 1967 (or chief executive in 1971 per some accounts) and led a restructuring that made it one of the world's largest manufacturers of commercial cooking equipment with over 25 international subsidiaries. The company underwent a leveraged buyout in 1988 with Kohlberg & Company. Hirsch resigned as CEO at the end of 1990 (age 50) to form Concurrent Industries Group, L.L.C., a New York-based family investment office and holding company focused on public/private equity, debt, and real estate investments, where he serves as managing director. His brother, David Hirsch, served as CFO at Welbilt. In philanthropy, Hirsch was Chairman of the Board of the Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds worldwide for nearly eight years (approximately 2010–2018), succeeded by Howard L. Goldstein. He worked closely with President & CEO Izzy Tapoohi on events and fundraising, including major dinners raising hundreds of millions and celebrations of Israeli milestones. He is involved in lay leadership at New Synagogue, described as a visionary. The family supports philanthropy through foundations including the Richard L. Hirsch Foundation and Henry & Myrtle Hirsch Foundation (c/o Concurrent Industries).