Richard Ryan, president and chief executive officer of Dorner Mfg. Corp. in Hartland, died in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, Sept. 8, while traveling in the western United States.
Few details about the accident were available, but a company spokesman said he believed the tragedy occurred near the border of Idaho and Washington.
Ryan, 59, of Hartland, began his career with Dorner in October 2005, when he was hired as its chief operating officer after a distinguished career at Rockwell Automation Inc. He held the Dorner COO position until last June, when he was appointed president and CEO following the company’s acquisition by Pittsburgh-based Incline Equity Partners.
Ryan’s leadership piloted Dorner to more than doubling its sales despite the recent economic downturn.
Ryan is survived by his wife, Denise, and his two sons, Timothy and Colin.
A statement on the company’s web site said, “In tribute to Rich and the business he helped to build, Dorner will move forward, saddened by the tragic loss, and yet heartened that we were touched by his insightful leadership.”
Dorner is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of conveyors and related equipment.
