HJ5209: Celebrating the life of Richard L. Sharp.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5209
Celebrating the life of Richard L. Sharp.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, September 18, 2014
Agreed to by the Senate, September 18, 2014

 

WHEREAS, Richard L. Sharp of Richmond, a successful entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist who used his vision and creativity to lead two prominent, nationwide retailers, died on June 24, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Alexandria, Richard Sharp studied electrical engineering at the University of Virginia and computer science at The College of William and Mary; he later attended the Harvard Business School advanced management program; and

WHEREAS, a brilliant inventor and innovator, Richard Sharp founded and led a custom hardware and software development business at the age of 27; and

WHEREAS, in 1982, Richard Sharp joined Circuit City as executive vice president and helped the company grow from a midsized chain with less than 70 stores to a one-time national powerhouse with over 600 locations; he became chief executive officer in 1986 and oversaw unprecedented growth in sales and revenue; and

WHEREAS, Richard Sharp worked with a team at Circuit City to create CarMax, a highly successful chain of used car superstores that revolutionized the industry; under his leadership, CarMax became an independent company and expanded to over 130 locations in almost 50 markets around the country; and

WHEREAS, possessed of an entrepreneurial spirit, Richard Sharp also served as a founder or leader in other business endeavors, including home security, heating and air conditioning, and furniture sales; he was a founding investor in Crocs, Inc., and helped guide the company to achieve worldwide recognition; and

WHEREAS, a generous and compassionate man, Richard Sharp supported many charitable causes, including organizations supporting Alzheimer’s disease research; and

WHEREAS, Richard Sharp earned several awards and accolades for his work, and he was inducted into the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Richard Sharp will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 45 years, Sherry; his two daughters, Donna and April, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Richard L. Sharp, a respected businessman and philanthropist in Richmond; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Richard L. Sharp as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5209

Offered September 15, 2014
Celebrating the life of Richard L. Sharp.

Patrons-- Massie, Austin, Campbell, Carr, Cole, Davis, Farrell, Fowler, Hope, Howell, W.J., Joannou, Jones, Keam, Kory, Landes, LaRock, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., McQuinn, Minchew, Morrissey, Rasoul, Rust, Scott, Simon, Spruill, Tyler, Ware and Watts; Senators: Barker, Edwards, Favola, Howell, Petersen, Ruff, Saslaw, Stosch, Wagner and Watkins

WHEREAS, Richard L. Sharp of Richmond, a successful entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist who used his vision and creativity to lead two prominent, nationwide retailers, died on June 24, 2014; and

WHEREAS, a native of Alexandria, Richard Sharp studied electrical engineering at the University of Virginia and computer science at the College of William and Mary; he later attended the Harvard Business School advanced management program; and

WHEREAS, a brilliant inventor and innovator, Richard Sharp founded and led a custom hardware and software development business at the age of 27; and

WHEREAS, in 1982, Richard Sharp joined Circuit City as executive vice president and helped the company grow from a midsized chain with less than 70 stores to a one-time national powerhouse with over 600 locations; he became chief executive officer in 1986 and oversaw unprecedented growth in sales and revenue; and

WHEREAS, Richard Sharp worked with a team at Circuit City to create CarMax, a highly successful chain of used car superstores that revolutionized the industry; under his leadership, CarMax became an independent company and expanded to over 130 locations in almost 50 markets around the country; and

WHEREAS, possessed of an entrepreneurial spirit, Richard Sharp also served as a founder or leader in other business endeavors, including home security, heating and air conditioning, and furniture sales; he was a founding investor in Crocs, Inc., and helped guide the company to achieve worldwide recognition; and

WHEREAS, a generous and compassionate man, Richard Sharp supported many charitable causes, including organizations supporting Alzheimer’s disease research; and

WHEREAS, Richard Sharp earned several awards and accolades for his work, and he was inducted into the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame in 2008; and

WHEREAS, Richard Sharp will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 45 years, Sherry; his two daughters, Donna and April, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Richard L. Sharp, a respected businessman and philanthropist in Richmond; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Richard L. Sharp as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.