Richard F. Vincent '59, is the retired Vice President of Operations for Riviana Foods Inc. Currently he is serving on the Board of Directors of Patriot Biofuels Inc., of Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Food Science and Nutrition Advisory Council at Texas A&M University. He has been recognized as a 'renaissance man' because his interests and talent make it possible for him to contribute broadly to society, to the Cornell community, to his profession, and to his local community.

In the spirit of lifelong learning, Vincent built his career from his degree in Agricultural Engineering, (now Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE), and a graduate degree in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin. He is a model for success in the food industry. His career started with Oscar Mayer & Co. in Madison, Wisconsin before he moved on to New Jersey, and then Chicago with Mars, Inc., and Nabisco Brands, Inc. Vincent used his extraordinary understanding and ability in processing and manufacturing to serve other major food companies including RJR Nabisco and Uncle Ben's Foods where he was Vice President of Research and Development.   

Vincent's most recent professional interests in biofuels meshed perfectly with his role on the BEE Department Advisory Council. His willingness to give significant time to council BEE came at a critical juncture as CALS assumes leadership and greater responsibility for Cornell's commitment to renewable energy.  In addition to serving on the BEE Advisory Council, Vincent is a member of the Cornell Alumni Association of Greater Houston and the Cornell University Council. 

Vincent excelled as a collegiate wrestler and, together with his teammate Steve Friedman, helped put Cornell in the national spotlight for the sport. To this day he is passionate about Cornell athletics and especially wrestling. From his collegiate days until the present, Vincent has stayed close to the sport, not just as an observer but as a volunteer coach for local schools and a supporter of wrestling organizations at all levels. He didn't let the distance between his home in Houston, Texas to Cornell become an obstacle to his attendance at every wrestling match he can make both in Ithaca and while the team is on the road. In 2007, Vincent was elected to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as an Outstanding American from New York in recognition of his lifetime achievements and commitment to young people and the sport of wrestling. 

Even when he was rising through the ranks of the food industry, Vincent found time to voluntarily coach and officiate wrestling in the local schools whether in Hackettstown New Jersey, Madison Wisconsin, or Park Ridge  Illinois. He has been invited to serve on the College Sports Council, USA Wrestling, and USA Olympic Committee. Vincent has a long history of community service, also volunteering his time for Easter Seals, a disability services and support organization. He currently serves on the Easter Seals National Board of Directors and has served on the local boards in Houston and the East Texas Region; as well as a Board Member of the Child Development Center at the Harris School in Houston.

Vincent is an outstanding volunteer for Cornell. He has chaired the Houston Tower Club and Campaign Committee for six years and served on the committee for many more years. He is devoted to his class, serving as a Class Council member, a participant in the Cornell Association of Class Officer activities and a life-long member of Cornell University Council, for which he attends meetings on a regular basis. As a member of the University Council, he uses his business talent by serving on the Technology Transfer and Sustainable Development and Environmental Sustainability Committees.

Vincent always makes it a priority to serve as a leader nationally for his profession, locally for his community, and wherever he is for Cornell. He is known for his sense of humor, vast knowledge in many fields, generosity, deep and sincere passion and friendship.

Vincent lives in Houston, Texas.  He has 3 children; Boyd R. Vincent '94 (ILR); Tara Lee Ann Benson; and Shannon Kelly Murphy.