Richard Edward Griffith (Rick) was born on May 5, 1946 in Johnstown, PA the third son of a total of four boys and two girls. Rick’s parents moved the young family to Erie, PA when he was four years old. Rick was educated at Holy Rosary and St. Luke’s grade schools. He attended Cathedral Prep and graduated in 1964.
Rick graduated from Gannon University in 1970 with a B. A. in History while he worked full time at Meadowbrook Dairy to pay his way through college. After a brief stint as a salesperson for Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (1970 – 1972) Rick started his own company, Griffith Electric Incorporated in 1972. He continued to work for himself and also started a construction company in 1981, North Ohio Electric Company. He still owns and operates Griffith and North Ohio Electric Company.
In 1982 Rick Griffith Properties was started. It presently owns and manages over one million seven hundred thousand square feet of rental property in Erie County.
In 1996 Rick became involved in the educational field with the introduction of Toni and Guy Hairdressing Academy in the Erie area. Rick has expanded in this field and is currently 100% owner and president of three schools. Toni and Guy Hairdressing Academy which teaches cosmetology; Great Lakes Institute of Technology which specializes in medical careers; and Erie Institute of Technology which teaches computer, electronic and shop careers.
Rick believes in giving back to the community and has served on many non-profit boards including: Erie Art Museum, Erie County Historical Museum, Discovery Square, Water Authority Advisory Committee, Erie Civic Coordinating Committee, and Cathedral Prep Advisory Board. Rick is currently a board member of UPMC Hamot, Emergycare, Hamot Heart Institute and the Regional Cancer Center. He is also very involved with local politics, often by prodding the community leaders into action with his signs along Erie’s major streets.
He was named Employer of the year in 2003 by the Economic Development Corporation of Erie County for his job creation efforts both with the schools and his reuse of old industrial buildings.
Rick resides in west Millcreek with his wife, Noreen Frances. This blended family includes Scott Griffith, Prep Class of 1987, Kevin Griffith, Prep Class of 1990, Michelle Griffith-Aresco, Villa Class of 1996, Stephanie Tetuan Callaway, Villa Class of 1996, and Michael Tetuan, Prep Class of 2000.
Together Rick and Frances are enjoying the children and the growing number of grandchildren – presently ten.