Richard Gyde

Mr. Richard Gyde currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Cornerstone Brands, Inc. Prior to this, in 1998, he was the Chairman and CEO of three companies owned by MDC.
Namely, Regal Greetings and Gifts, a $100 million, Direct Marketing/Direct Selling Company specializing in greeting cards/wrap, gifts and unique household problem solvers; A.E.
McKenzie, Canada’s largest marketer of floral and garden seeds; and Custom Direct, a $100+ million, Baltimore based company which direct markets personalized checks in the United States.
In 1994 to 1997, he was the President and CEO for Disney Direct.
From 1993 to 1994, he was President and Chief Operating Officer for Quorum International, a multilevel/catalog marketer of electronics.
In 1991-1992, Dick was the President and Chief Operating Officer for Nutri/System, Inc. a $650 million market leader in the weight loss industry.
From 1983 to1991, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer for Simplicity Products, Inc. and in 1980 to1983 was the President of Kayser-Roth, Inc. Prior to this he was Vice President of Marketing for Avon Products in New York from 1973 to 1980.
He also served as Vice President, Management Supervisor for Grey Advertising, Inc. in 1968 to 1973; Group Product Manager, New Products for Ralston Purina from 1967 to 1968; and Product Manager for H.J.
Heinz Company from 1965 to 1967.
He earned his Bachelor Degree in Mathematics from Michigan State University in 1964 and a Master of Marketing from Michigan State University, Graduate School of Business in 1965 where he was in the top third of his class.