Richard Kelson

Richard B. Kelson, 74, passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2021, in New York City. Rick was born on November 20, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Jack “Kush” and Betty Kelson. He spent his early years in the apartment above Kelson’s Restaurant in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, until his family moved to the South Hills of Pittsburgh in the 1950’s. After graduating from Chartiers Valley High School in 1964, he matriculated to the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn in 1968. Rick then served in the US Army Reserves and attended law school at the University of Pittsburgh. Following law school, he clerked for Judge Harry Kramer in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

After completing his clerkship, Rick began his career as an attorney at ALCOA, Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA. He had an illustrious career at ALCOA and thrived in their corporate environment. After many years in the legal department, he was eventually handpicked by ALCOA’s CEO and future Treasury Secretary, Paul O’Neill, to lead ALCOA’s Environment, Health and Safety initiatives in the 1990s. In 1994, Mr. Kelson was asked to lead ALCOA’s legal department, adding the title of General Counsel. In 1997, Mr. Kelson was asked to take on yet another challenge as ALCOA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, a position in which he served for nearly a decade, retiring in 2006 as Chairman’s Counsel.

In 2000, CFO Magazine awarded Mr. Kelson two of its 11 prestigious global CFO Excellence Awards. In 2006, he was personally recognized by the Hackett Group for World Class Finance; and, in 2004 and 2005, Institutional Investor magazine named him “Best CFO in Metals and Mining.”

He also served as an Operating Advisor to a private equity fund manager from 2006 through 2010. Inspired by his experience in private equity, Mr. Kelson started ServCo LLC, using his 30 years in supply chain management to form a company that helps businesses with strategic sourcing and procurement.

Mr. Kelson was the current Chairman of the Board of Ingevity, Inc., where he also served as interim CEO and President during a leadership transition in 2020. Mr. Kelson was also a member of the board of directors of Commercial Metals Corporation, where he served as lead director from 2014-2019, and a member of the board of Ecovative Design LLC. He previously served on the boards of directors of PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (2002-2020), MeadWestvaco Corporation, formerly Westvaco (2001-2015), Anadigics, Inc. (2015-2016), and Lighting Science Group Corporation (2007-2010). He was a member of the Board of Trustees at Carnegie Mellon University from 2000 to 2006 and served on the board of the University of Pittsburgh Law School Board of Visitors since 2000. Mr. Kelson was a member of the Board of Directors for the non-profit KaBOOM, Inc. from 2008 until 2014, where he served as Chairperson of the Board for the majority of his term.

He met his wife Ellen on the first day of their freshman orientation at the University of Pennsylvania. They married in 1969 at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City, and were married for nearly 52 years. Ellen and Rick raised their three children in Mount Lebanon, PA. In 2000, Rick and Ellen relocated to New York City. They loved to travel the world and explore New York City’s art galleries and antique shows. After he moved to New York, Rick remained an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and was also enthusiastic about race horses.

Rick was passionate about his wife, children, and grandchildren, and enjoyed spending extended time with the full family whether at home or on vacation.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and father figure as well mentor, business leader and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Ellen S. Kelson. Sister: Sharon Kelson Block ( Lawrence Block). Children: Carolyn Kelson (and Jason Janicki), Melinda “Mindy” Kelson O’Connor (and Ted O’Connor), and Adam Kelson (and Carly Wilson). Grandchildren: Dashiell, Lev and Iris Janicki; Danny and Georgia O’Connor; Harrison and Lila Kelson, and Lyle Schimizzi.

The family will be hosting a private shiva at this time, but there will be a full memorial celebration of his life at time in the near future when it is safe to gather.