REED CITY SELECTS 2024 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS

Rich Saladin

Reed City Area Public Schools is proud to announce Rich Saladin as the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus. Mr. Saladin is a 1990 Reed City High School graduate. While attending RCHS, Rich was active with the school excelling in academics and sports. His many accomplishments at RCHS include Varsity Baseball, Basketball, Varsity Football, 1st Team All-Conference and All-Area Linebacker, Boys’ State alternative, National Honor Society, and MHSAA Scholar Athlete. He attended Michigan State University, graduating in 1994 with a degree in Materials & Logistics Management from the nation's top-rated supply chain program.

Rich returned to Reed City and began his career with Reed City Power Line Supply and their related companies. He stepped down in 2005 as Director of Supply Chain to help raise his family as a stay-at-home father. In 2017, he re-entered the business world as Chief Financial Officer at Gerber Construction where he provided essential leadership in the growth of the company. He also began serving as part-time principal at Trinity Lutheran School. In 2021, Rich became the City Manager for the City of Reed City. Over the last three years, he has played an integral part in bringing over $30,000,000 in grants to the city to be used for critical infrastructure needs to build a safe and reliable water and sewer system as well as grants for parks, recreation activities, and trees. He strives to make Reed City a great place to work, live, and play.

Rich has also volunteered his time in countless community programs with a strong emphasis in youth sports. He was a founding board member of Reed City Rocket Football and coached multiple years. He has been a coach, umpire, and referee for youth softball, baseball, and basketball. Over the years, he has dedicated his time and talents to his church including serving as youth group leader, praise band, and church councils. Rich’s commitment to Reed City Area Public Schools includes over 11 years on the Board of Education (1997-2008), volunteering with athletics and reading programs, and serving as a football chain gang volunteer since 1995. Along with his wife, Susan, he has coached Reed City Cross Country since 2016 – winning a girls’ conference title in 2019 and back-to-back conference titles for boys in 2022 and 2023, as well as 6th and 4th place finishes at the state championship. Rich has also served on the Spectrum Health Regional Hospital Board, Reed City Library Board, Greater Reed City Area Recreational Authority, and as a member of the Reed City Rotary Club.

Rich and his wife, Susan, married in 2000, have five children (Anna, Paul, Mary, Rachel, Tabitha), and make Reed City their home. Rich is a wonderful example of an individual who was born and raised in Reed City and decided to return home providing amazing and extraordinary leadership.

As the Distinguished Alumnus, Rich will deliver a speech to the 2024 Reed City graduating class during the May 19 graduation ceremony.