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Thomas O. Ryder has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the publishing industry. In April 1998, he was named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc., and went on to steer the global publisher and direct marketer toward its goal of achieving sustainable revenue and profit growth. He retired as CEO on January 1, 2006, but continues as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Reader's Digest, Ryder had been president of American Express Travel Related Services International since October 1995. He joined American Express in 1984 as president and publisher of American Express Publishing Corporation and was appointed president and worldwide executive publisher in 1988. American Express magazines included Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, Departures, Your Company and Skyguide. Ryder directed the launch of Departures and Your Company and founded the Aspen Food & Wine Classic.
Before joining American Express, Ryder was senior vice president of CBS Magazines, where he was responsible for strategic planning and acquisitions and for a wide range of special interest consumer magazines. Ryder was a founder of Education Today, which published magazines and books for both teachers and school administrators, including Learning Magazine and Gifted Children's Monthly. In addition, he founded the Learning Institute, an educator training institution. He also held executive positions at Xerox Education Publications and Time, Inc.
Ryder is a member of the Board of Directors of Amazon.com and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. He is currently serving as chairman of the Magazine Publishers of America.
Ryder earned his B.A. in Journalism at Louisiana State University in 1966. He and his wife, Darlene Wood Ryder, live in New Canaan, Connecticut, and have four children.
The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global publisher and direct marketer of products that inform, enrich, entertain and inspire people of all ages and all cultures around the world. Its flagship publication, Reader’s Digest magazine, is sold in more than 60 countries and is published in 19 languages. Global headquarters are at Pleasantville, New York. | 