Leon C. Richardson is the Founder, President and CEO of The Chemico Group, the largest minority-owned, veteran-owned chemical management and distribution company in the U.S., which celebrated 33 years in business in 2022. Chemico is a highly regarded Tier 1 supplier to customers in the automotive, aerospace, biopharmaceuticals, electronics and government sectors, employing 450+ people (75% minority) and amassing $175+ million in sales annually. The company has spent $40 million with MBEs since 2014 (6 percent annually). 

A passionate champion for MBE development, Richardson serves as a NMSDC Board member and served on the MMSDC Board for 15+ years. He chaired MMSDC’s Minority Business Input Committee overseeing expansion initiatives for 1,200 MBEs in the state. Richardson co-chaired the General Motors (GM) Minority Supplier Council, served as chairman of the National Association of Black Suppliers, was a former board member of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Supplier Partnerships for the Environment and the Chemical Management Suppliers forum. Richardson is a devoted mentor working with up to 10 students/young professionals at a given time, and a strong advocate for investment in community. 

Richardson and Chemico have received awards from GM, Toyota, Stellantis (Chrysler), Honda, Boeing, Honeywell, Congressional Black Caucus, NAACP, Rainbow PUSH, Automotive News, Crains, Michigan Chronicle and other distinguished organizations. Chemico has been named NMSDC MBE of the Year Award (2018) and MMSDC’s Supplier of the Year four times. Black Enterprise named Chemico to its list of top 100 Black Businesses nine times. 

Richardson is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served his country for eight years as a non-commissioned officer. Richardson was recently appointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as a member of the Michigan Strategic Fund Board of Directors and will serve a 3-year term. Richardson and his wife Cheryl are the proud parents of four daughters and one son.