Rick Snyder

Rick Snyder Rick is Chair of the Board, CEO and a co-founder of Ardesta. Since 1991, his primary business activities have focused on the technology industry and the development of emerging and high growth companies.

In 1997, Rick founded and led Avalon Investments, Inc., a venture capital company targeted at investments in technology-oriented ventures. Avalon was established as a $100 million fund targeting early stage technology investments. From 1997 to 2000, it invested in 24 companies, including several that were started based on technology transferred from universities.

From 1991 to 1997, he served as executive vice president and then president and COO of Gateway, Inc. His responsibilities included overseeing all company operations and assisting in the strategic direction of the company. During his tenure at Gateway, the company grew from a privately held $500 million company to a NYSE-traded organization with revenues in excess of $6 billion.

From 1982 to 1991, Rick was with Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). He began in the tax department of the Detroit office and became a partner there in 1988. In 1989, he was named partner in charge of the mergers and acquisitions practice in C&L's Chicago office. He built a significant practice for the firm, focusing primarily on buyer's side due diligence investigations. From 1982 to 1984, Rick served as an adjunct assistant professor of accounting at the University of Michigan.

Rick studied at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of General Studies degree with high distinction in 1977, a Masters of Business Administration with distinction in 1979, and a Juris Doctor in 1982. He completed his third degree at age 23.

Besides his business responsibilities, Rick has been active in community affairs and has held leadership positions in a variety of charitable and economic development organizations. Currently, Rick serves as Chairman of Ann Arbor SPARK, the innovative focused economic development organization formed by the University of Michigan and local and state government. Rick is active on the boards or advisory boards of several privately held companies and community and educational organizations, including:

  • The University of Michigan's
    • Tech Transfer Advisory Board
    • The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Advisory Board
    • Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • The Nature Conservancy (Michigan Chapter)
  • The Henry Ford

Rick is also a member of the Michigan Bar Association.