Richard Pizitz

Richard Alan Pizitz Sr was president of the Pizitz department store chain from 1966 until its sale to McRae's of Jackson, Mississippi in 1986. He continued the family-owned business as president of Pizitz Management Group, which operates Gus Mayer boutique along with 32 degrees yogurt shops and dozens of American Cookie Co. and Mrs Fields' franchises.

Pizitz was the son of Isadore Pizitz and grandson of store founder Louis Pizitz. He attended Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia and Harvard Business School, graduating in 1953. He then joined the family business and worked his way up through the various merchandising departments as a buyer and manager. He was made an assistant to his father in 1959 and succeeded him as president when Isadore was named chairman and CEO in 1966.

References

• "Pizitz announces top job changes" (February 1966) The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Rewound
• Hollis, Tim (2010) izitz: Your Store. The History Press. ISBN 9781596299931
• Azok, Dawn Kent (September 23, 2011) "Perseverance is key in business, Richard A. Pizitz Sr. tells merchants." The Birmingham News