Richard D. Baron wowed the audience at Washington
University as the fourth annual Social Entrepreneurship
and Innovation Competition was launched. His
presentation inspired the SEIC participants who hope
to develop creative and innovative solutions to social
problems and become a prizewinner in the competition,
the largest of its kind. While the competition has been
formally launched, the program is open to all and those
who wish to participant may join at any time.
Richard D. Baron is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of McCormack Baron Salazar in St. Louis, Missouri, a firm
specializing in the development and management of mixed
income communities with an emphasis on large-scale
redevelopment projects in central city locations.
Since the company began in 1973, it has developed 124 projects in 33 cities with development costs in excess of $1.8 billion which includes more than 13,895 residential units and one million square feet of commercial space. The firm’s management portfolio includes 14,970 residential units. In October, 2004,
Richard Baron received The Urban Land Institute J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development. The Nichols Prize was established by the Nichols family in 2000 to recognize individuals whose career has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of responsible development. Mr. Baron is the fifth recipient of this prestigious award.
Mr. Baron serves on the Executive Committee of the Regional Chamber and Growth Association and on the Boards of St. Louis Downtown Partnership, Downtown Now!, and The Center of Contemporary Arts (COCA). He is also on the Board of Trustees at St. Louis University. He is a past-board member of John Burroughs School and a past-member of Washington University's George Warren Brown School of Social Work National Council. He currently is on the Advisory Board for the Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy of The Brookings Institution, and is an emeritus member of the Board of Trustees for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Mr. Baron is the founder and developer of The Center of Creative Arts (COCA), in University City, Missouri, a community-based visual and performing arts center that serves more than 50,000 children annually. Mr. Baron currently serves as the co-chairman of the Vashon Education Compact which targets seven low performing public schools in the City of St. Louis for major transformation.
Mr. Baron is a graduate of Oberlin College and holds a masters degree in political science from the University of California-Berkeley and a law degree from the University of Michigan. Mr. Baron has been awarded honorary degrees from Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio and from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.