Richard (Rick) Warther

Founder & CEO

Rick Warther has been in the Auto ID industry since 1979. Prior to founding Vanguard ID Systems in 1987, he worked for the Graphic Technology and Data Documents Systems divisions of Pitney Bowes in Kansas City. Rick also served as Vice President of Sales for Ampersand Data Graphics in Massachusetts. Rick holds a B.S. in Communications from Kent State University.

Entrepreneur & Innovator

Holds 38+ U.S. Patents for barcoded, magnetic striped, and RFID transaction devices.
Was the first to laser print on plastic, creating the first barcoded membership/ID card.
Invented the first barcoded key tag used across the retail and restaurant industries.
Pioneered “Flip Chip” RFID key tags for contactless consumer transactions.

Recognition

2017: Wins “Steve Byrnes Going the Distance” Award

2017: Received Significant Sig Award by Sigma Chi Fraternity

2017: Named Abundance 360 Member

2011: Received Centennial Award by Kent State University

2014: Named Automatic Identification & Data Capture (AIDC) Member

In his leisure time, Rick enjoys aviation and sailing yachts. He holds a private pilot’s license (instrument rated) and volunteers as an Angel Flight pilot, providing medical air transportation for patients in need.

Rick currently serves as a CVIM (Community Volunteers in Medicine) board member. He previously served on the board of the American Helicopter Museum and (CART) Indycar Championship Auto Racing Technical Official for four years.