Richard B. Sellars facts for kids

Richard Beverland Sellars (September 9, 1915 – June 25, 2010) was an important American business leader. He worked for the healthcare company Johnson & Johnson for 40 years. Sellars became the top boss, serving as chairman and CEO. He also played a big part in helping the city of New Brunswick, New Jersey, where the company's main office is located.

Early Life and Career

Richard Sellars was born on September 9, 1915. He grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts. He went to American International College and Maryville College.

In 1939, Sellars started working for Johnson & Johnson. He began as a salesman for their Ortho Pharmaceutical business. He worked hard and moved up quickly. By 1948, he was a vice president at Ortho. He then moved to another J&J unit called Ethicon Inc.. In 1949, he became its president.

In April 1970, Sellars became president of Johnson & Johnson Worldwide. He then became the company's chairman and CEO in 1973. He was only the second person not from the Johnson family to lead the company.

Helping New Brunswick

Richard Sellars believed Johnson & Johnson should stay in New Brunswick. Many companies were moving their offices to the suburbs. But Sellars convinced the company's leaders to keep their headquarters in the city.

He felt the company had a duty to help New Brunswick. He joined the New Brunswick Development Corporation. This group worked to make the city's downtown area better. Sellars even helped bring in a famous architect, I. M. Pei. Pei helped redesign the city's center. Sellars believed that "the survival of our country depends on the survival of its cities."

Later Years

Johnson & Johnson announced that Sellars would step down as CEO. This happened on November 1, 1976. James E. Burke took over his role.

After leaving his CEO position, Sellars stayed involved. He served on the company's finance committee until 1979. From 1981 to 1996, he was a trustee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This foundation is the largest charity focused on health in the United States. Sellars worked closely with Robert Wood Johnson II. They helped shape the foundation's goals.

Richard Sellars passed away on June 25, 2010. He was 94 years old. He died at his home in Osterville, Massachusetts. He was survived by his wife, Doris Sophia Johnson, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.