John A. Rich

John A. Rich is a 1962 graduate of Lorain High School. From the start, John set his sights on Lorain High's Vocational Machine Shop Program — and not only gained entry but graduated at the top of his class among 25 participants. He also competed on the Junior Varsity Football Team, bringing the same drive to the field that he brought to the shop floor. 

One week after graduation, John was hired as a Machine Shop Trainee at American Crucible Products Company. His rise was swift: by 19 he was serving on the Union Bargaining Committee, and he steadily advanced from machinist to customer service, to Assistant Sales Manager, Company Sales Manager by 29, Vice President at 34, and President and General Manager at 39 — growing the company from roughly 150 to 250 employees. At 41, he founded J.A. Rich & Associates, Inc., an industrial sales agency that brought millions of dollars in new business to manufacturers pursuing automotive contracts across North America. 

Simultaneously, John devoted himself to Lorain's civic life. He served as President of the Lorain Jaycees, was named Lorain's Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1973, served four years as 8th Ward City Councilman, rose to President of the Lorain Chamber of Commerce Board, and served a remarkable 16 years as President of the Lorain City Council after defeating the incumbent — and being re-elected seven times. 

As a dedicated keeper of class history, John has chaired every class reunion from the 10-year through the 60-year mark and authored Lorain Class of '62: Life Stories, capturing the histories of 80 classmates. He and his wife Sandi have been married 61 years and are the proud parents of two children and three grandchildren. A lifelong learner and loyal fan of the Browns, Guardians, Cavs, and Ohio State Football — John Rich is a true Lorain original.