Early Life
Richard B. "Rick" Cohen was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1952. He graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1970 and then earned a degree in economics, concentrating in accounting, from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1974.
Rise to Success
Cohen began his career at the family company, C&S Wholesalers, in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1974. He took control of C&S after his father retired in 1989. Under his leadership, C&S Wholesale Grocers grew into one of the largest wholesale grocery supply companies in the United States. Cohen is also the founder of Symbotic, a robotics warehouse automation company. Symbotic's AI-enabled platform is used by major retailers, including Walmart, to enhance warehouse efficiency through automation.
Key Business Strategies
Cohen's key business strategies include transforming C&S into a national powerhouse and innovating in warehouse automation through Symbotic. Symbotic's partnership with Walmart to automate its distribution centers is a critical component of his success.
Philanthropy
Rick Cohen and his family are known for their philanthropy. In 2001, the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College was renamed after the Cohens in recognition of their financial support. They support various organizations addressing food insecurity, youth development, and public health.