Richard Orkand
Mr. Orkand is retired from his position as former owner and president of Vitex Foods, Inc. The company is a private label manufacturer of nutritional drink mixes. Under Mr. Orkand’s leadership, the company achieved peak sales of $39 million and employed as many as 150 people. Prior to that Mr. Orkand was an engineer in the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Public Works.

He is actively involved with the Harriet and Richard Orkand Family Educational and Charitable Foundation which funds a research project that will enable one to predict the suitability of individuals for the role of school principal. The foundation also awards scholarships to suitable candidates to obtain the necessary advanced degree required for a school principal.

In addition to his foundation, Mr. Orkand is involved with several volunteer activities at UCLA. He serves as a chairperson of the TEC On Campus program in The Anderson School. In this role he mentors groups of entrepreneurial-minded MBA candidates. He also participates in the UCLA School of Law’s clinical program, including mock trials.

Mr. Orkand holds a B.S.E.E. degree from the University of Southern California. He was also trained by and awarded a certificate as a mediator from the City Attorneys Office, Los Angeles.