Roland S. Boreham, Jr. passes

Roland S. Boreham, Jr., Baldor Electric Co.'s CEO from 1978-1981 and chairman from 1981-2004, passed away on February 5. Beginning with Baldor in 1947, working for his father—a grinder representative in Los Angeles—he then moved to corporate headquarters in 1961, becoming vice president of sales in 1962.

By Staff March 1, 2006

Roland S. Boreham, Jr., Baldor Electric Co.’s CEO from 1978-1981 and chairman from 1981-2004, passed away on February 5.

Beginning with Baldor in 1947, working for his father—a grinder representative in Los Angeles—he then moved to corporate headquarters in 1961, becoming vice president of sales in 1962. He was instrumental in developing the company’s network of district offices and warehouses, still in effect today. He developed the firm’s Value Formula, which combines quality and service, and cost and time.

He will be remembered for his honesty, his ethics and his fairness to all. He was an extremely benevolent person, giving to many charities anonymously. He believed strongly in the value of education, giving generously to many educational institutions, including the University of the Ozarks and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith.