Richard A. Schroeder

Richard A. Schroeder is president and CEO of Cresline Plastic Pipe Co., Inc., a privately-held company headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. Cresline is the oldest plastic pipe company in the United States and is recognized as a pioneer in its industry. During his tenure as president, the enterprise has grown to operate six production plants and market products throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

At Vanderbilt, Richard earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma social fraternity and Pi Tau Sigma honorary society. Upon graduation, he attended the Graduate School of Business at Indiana University where he received an MBA in finance and marketing. While attending Vanderbilt and Indiana, he enjoyed teaching undergraduate courses in computer science. At Indiana, Richard met his future wife, Patrice. The couple relocated to Houston and he began his career at Exxon Corp. There, he held positions of increasing responsibility in corporate planning and field operations. He left Exxon in 1982 to return to the family business and was subsequently named president and CEO.

Richard has served on Vanderbilt School of Engineering boards since 2001. He and Patrice served as members of the Parents and Family Association while their son, David (BS’12), attended Vanderbilt. Over the years, his philanthropy to the school has been generous and enthusiastic.

He is involved in his industry through service and past presidencies of numerous industry organizations. He serves on the boards of local industrial development groups and the University of Evansville Schroeder School Of Business where he and Patrice hold honorary degrees.

In his free time Richard enjoys golf, travel and the beach at Siesta Key, Florida.