Swanson School of Engineering Recognizes Richard Stinson as Its 2026 Distinguished Alumnus in Industrial Engineering
Above (L - R): Mary Besterfield-Sacre, Richard Stinson, and Michele Manuel
On March 25, the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering held its annual Distinguished Alumni Banquet at the University Club. Rich Stinson, BSIE '81, was recognized at the event as the 2026 Distinguished Alumnus in Industrial Engineering.
“When we talk about what an education in industrial engineering prepares someone to do, Rich’s career is a remarkable example,” said Lisa Maillart, Leighton E. and Mary N. Orr Professor and Department Chair of Industrial Engineering. "Over more than four decades in the electrical industry, he has led at the highest levels while influencing organizations, industries, and thousands of employees along the way.”
“Throughout Rich’s career, what stands out most to me is his philosophy of leadership,” Maillart added. “He has spoken about the importance of building cultures grounded in empowerment, trust, consistency, and inclusion. Those are the type of values we hope our engineering graduates carry with them as they move into leadership roles.”
About Rich Stinson
Rich Stinson, BSIE ’81, recently retired as President and CEO of Southwire, a leading wire and cable solutions provider. The nearly $10 billion organization is made up of more than 9,000 team members worldwide who serve each other, their customers, and their communities.
Under Rich’s leadership, Southwire focused on significant advancement and the company's commitment to remain generationally sustainable for the next 100 years and beyond. Rich successfully led the business through organic growth as well as expansion via acquisition. He played a key role in achieving the best safety metrics in the company’s history and in improving Southwire’s financial position while emphasizing the importance of a company culture built on empowerment, trust, consistency, and inclusion.
Prior to his role at Southwire, Rich spent more than three decades in the electrical industry. He retired from Eaton Corporation as president of its $5 billion Electrical Systems and Services group, and in his tenure there, his businesses were recognized by the prestigious Eaton Business Award three times in ten years.
Rich holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He serves as past chair of the Board of Executives for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and served as former Vice Chair for the International Cable Federation (ICF). Rich serves on the executive committee for the Copper Development Association and is active in the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). He is a member of CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion and the United Nations Global Compact.
Rich was recognized as one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Most Admired CEOs in 2022, Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend in 2023 and 2024, and one of Georgia Trend's Notable Georgians in 2025. In 2023, he was also named Most Respected Business Leader by Georgia Trend. In 2026, the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering received funding to introduce the Richard A. Stinson Endowed Scholarship to support the next generation of students pursuing industrial engineering degrees.