FOUNDER

Ronald W. Burkle 

Founder and chairman of the board, Ronald W. Burkle Foundation

Ron Burkle founded The Yucaipa Companies in 1986 and is widely recognized as one of the preeminent investors in the retail, manufacturing and distribution industries. Ron has served as Chairman of the Board and controlling shareholder of numerous companies including Alliance Entertainment, Golden State Foods, Dominick’s, Fred Meyer, Ralphs and Food4Less.

Ron is Co-Chairman of the Burkle Center for International Relations at UCLA and is broadly involved in the community.  He is a trustee of the Carter Center, the National Urban League, AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and has been an active member of the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy. Ron is the current owner of Lloyd Wright’s famous textile block Ennis House. Ron Burkle was the Founder and Chairman of the Ralphs/Food4Less Foundation and the Fred Meyer Inc. Foundation.

Ron Burkle has received numerous honors and awards including the AFL-CIO’s Murray Green Meany Kirkland Community Service Award, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Man of the Year, the Los Angeles County Boy Scouts Jimmy Stewart Person of the Year Award and the APLA Commitment to Life Award.