Donald Rice facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donald Rice
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| 17th United States Secretary of the Air Force | |
| In office May 22, 1989 – January 20, 1993 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Edward C. Aldridge Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Sheila Widnall |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Donald Blessing Rice
June 4, 1939 Frederick, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Parent | Donald B. Rice Sr. |
| Education | University of Notre Dame (BS) Purdue University, West Lafayette (MS, PhD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1961–1967 |
| Unit | Army Ordnance Corps |
Donald Blessing Rice, Jr. (born June 4, 1939) is an American businessman and important government official. He has led several big companies, including the RAND Corporation. He also served as the 17th Secretary of the Air Force from 1989 to 1993.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Donald Rice was born in 1939 in Frederick, Maryland. His father ran a service station and later a tire business. His mother managed the family's books. Both parents taught him the importance of getting a good education.
Rice studied chemical engineering at the University of Notre Dame. He earned his first degree in 1961. He then went to Purdue University. There, he earned a master's degree in 1962 and a Ph.D. in economics in 1965. While at Notre Dame, he joined the United States Army Ordnance Corps as an officer. In 1962, he married Susan Fitzgerald. They have three sons.
Public Service Career
After finishing his studies, Rice served in the U.S. Army as an officer from 1965 to 1967. During this time, he taught management at a Navy school in Monterey, California.
In 1967, Rice began working in Washington, D.C. He helped manage defense spending for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Two years later, he helped plan budgets for defense programs. From 1970 to 1972, he managed government budgets. These budgets covered many areas, including science, energy, and transportation.
In 1972, Rice became the president of the RAND Corporation. This is a special organization called a think tank. A think tank does research and analysis on important topics. RAND studies national security and other public policy issues. It also offers a special degree program. During his time at RAND, President Ford asked him to lead a commission on supplies. Presidents Nixon and Carter also asked him to serve on the National Science Board. He also led a big study on how the United States Department of Defense managed its money.
Rice stayed at RAND until May 1989. Then, President George H. W. Bush chose him to be the Secretary of the Air Force. As Secretary, Rice reorganized the United States Air Force. He also helped reduce its budget. The first Gulf War, also called "Desert Storm," happened while he was in this role. He served for four years, until January 1993.
Rice has been a member of several important groups. These groups focus on management, science, and economics. He was also appointed to a commission about future national plans.
Business Career
After leaving the Air Force in 1993, Rice became a top leader at Teledyne. He helped restructure the company and merge it with another. In 1996, he left Teledyne. He then started a new biotechnology company called Agensys Corporation. He was its first president and CEO.
In 2002, he became the chairman of the Agensys board. In 2007, he helped sell Agensys to Astellas, Inc. He continued as CEO until he retired in 2010.
Rice has served on the boards of many companies. These include Chevron Corporation, Wells Fargo & Company, Unocal, and Amgen. He also chaired the board of Scios for five years. He is still involved with the RAND Corporation as an emeritus trustee. He also helps advise the PGA Tour on equipment.
Awards and Recognition
Donald Rice has received five honorary doctorates. These special degrees recognize his achievements. His first was from Notre Dame in 1975. He received others from Purdue, Pepperdine, West Coast University, and the RAND graduate school.
In 1999, he received the Wanner Award. This award is from the Military Operations Research Society. He also received the Citation Award from University of California at Los Angeles. The Air Force Association gave him the Symington Award. The Jaycees recognized him as one of their Ten Outstanding Young Men. He also received the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
In 2002, he was elected as a Fellow of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences.
Images for kids
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Donald Rice as Secretary of the Air Force.
