Inducted
April 5, 2002
Degrees
- BSEE WVU 1959
James Rinard is President and CEO of Vantage Products Corporation founded in 1978. The firm manufacturers plastic products used in the building products and funeral industries; it sells to worldwide markets as a member of the Inductotherm Industries, Inc. family of companies.
Mr. Rinard attended Potomac State College, and later attended West Virginia University where he graduated in 1959 with a BS degree in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Army as 2nd Lieutenant, Ordinance Corps. Upon discharge from military service he returned to the Hercules Company's Allegheny Ballistic Laboratory where he had worked for several summers during his college years.
During his career at Hercules, he gained experience in manufacturing all types of plastic products, and held numerous technical and management positions before becoming Operations Manager of Hercules joint venture with a large Japanese company. He was subsequently named Operations manager of Havec Industries, a Hercules subsidiary.
Mr. Rinard is very active in a wide range of community activities in Conyers, GA. He has served as President of the Lions Club, Rotary programs, and is an active supporter of the United Way and serves on the Council of Partners for Tomorrow.