Author, Radio Show Host, Mentor
Ric Franzi works exclusively with business owners and leadership teams of firms with between 5 and 250 employees.
Ric mentors business leaders to live a better life through the peer groups and EOS implementations he leads.
Ric is one of the nation’s foremost experts on CEO Peer Groups®. His work has been featured in national media such as Inc.com, CNBC, American Express Open Forum, and the local publications Orange County Register and Orange County Business Journal. He is the author of the landmark book Critical Mass The 10 Explosive Powers of CEO Peer Groups, the first ever book written about the value of CEO Peer Groups® . His second book, The Power of CEO Guiding Principles, is now in its third release. The book features over 100 CEOs sharing insights into their guiding principles.
Ric chairs CEO Peer Groups® in Orange County, California, and is the host for the internationally broadcasted internet radio show Critical Mass Radio Show. He is a sought after keynote speaker for middle market companies and professional associations across North America.
He received his MBA from Pepperdine University and previously worked at Delphi Connection Systems for 7 years as President and General Manager, where he grew the top line revenue 40% through product and market diversification. Prior to that experience, Richard spent 25 years as a sales and marketing executive for a variety of technology firms.
Ric realized his passion for peer groups when working at Delphi. After being promoted to President, he had an epiphany that changed his life forever. “I was sitting at a peer group meeting, listening to the facilitator of the group, and all of a sudden I realized ‘I wanted to be that guy’, Ric recalls. “I wanted to be the one standing in front of the peer group, helping business leaders learn from the wisdom of their peers, take calculated risks and get improved results.”
Today, Ric has emerged as a respected thought leader and acclaimed expert on the power of peer learning for CEOs and business leaders and is one of the most dynamic and influential peer group leaders in the nation.
Ric is a member of the National Center for Employee Ownership, the Society for Professional Journalists, the Los Angeles Press Club, and the Orange County Press Club. He has won numerous awards and honors, including:
- Finalist, 6th Annual Entertainment and Journalism
Award, Los Angeles Press Club - Finalist, 55th Annual SoCal Journalism Awards,
Los Angeles Press Club - Finalist, 5th Annual Entertainment and Journalism
Awards, Los Angeles Press Club
- Nominee, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the
Year - Nominee, Orange County Business Journal
Entrepreneur of the Year
Ric and his wife, Debra, are celebrating 34 years of marriage in 2020 and have two children. His family has a service orientation. His wife is a 6th grade science teacher, his son is an attorney helping families through difficult times and his daughter works with children with autism and related disorders.
Ric moved to Orange County in 1981 after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. Initially, Ric came to California to visit his brother who was living in Huntington Beach. Two weeks into his 4-week vacation, Ric realized he was going to stay in California permanently.
Ric and Debra are active members of the Orange County community, having donated their time to a variety of local charities and non-profits.
National and local media features and interviews with Ric Franzi:
- Interview: Richard Franzi, Author of CRITICAL MASS:
The Power of CEO Guiding Principles
- International Franchise Association Convention:
Peer Learning at its Best
CEO Peer Groups Boost Business Results- O.C. business owners react to election
- O.C. companies change to survive
- O.C. business owners seek clarity from
president, Congress - Gathering Frontline Insights on Mobility Innovation
- Peer Power
- Bad Corporate Endings Yield Startup
Success Stories
- CEO Peer Groups: How To Find Your Match
- Who’s on Power of Leadership Radio
- Effective Ways to Engage Your Team
- Peer Group Learning
Ric Franzi selected as LinkedIn Influencer- Critical Mass Radio Show Series Reaches New Heights in Audience Engagement
- Richard Franzi of Critical Mass for Business 2012 OC Business Journal Entrepreneur Nominee