Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> September 7, 1998
RICHARD B. JAFFE serves as Chairman, President and CEO of San Diego-
based Safeskin Corporation, which he co-founded in 1988. Prior to
assuming the helm of Safeskin, Jaffe founded Nutrifoods Int'l Inc., in
1977, a frozen dessert manufacturer that he took public in 1984 and sold
to the Coca-Cola Company in 1985. He was then appointed to the executive
operating committee of the Coca-Cola Foods Division, while continuing as
president of Nutrifoods Int'l. Mr. Jaffe built what was originally a
start-up Italian ice business into a $50 million national consumer and
institutional business. After completing his contract with Coca-Cola,
Mr. Jaffe sought new professional challenges. In 1988 he recognized
industry-wide, behavioral changes in the medical field that would lead
to enormous opportunity and require dramatic changes in the manufacture
of disposable latex gloves. Mr. Jaffe entered the medical and scientific
glove market believing there was tremendous opportunity in bringing
added value to products long perceived as commodity based. From start-up
10 years ago, Safeskin is today the worldwide leader in the $2.5 billion
global glove market. In less than 10 years, Mr. Jaffe has revolutionized
the industry by introducing the first hypoallergenic powder-free exam
glove. With the growth of Safeskin, Mr. Jaffe has been widely recognized
for his strategy and vision. Throughout his career with Safeskin, he and
Safeskin Corp. have been recognized for their achievements. Mr. Jaffe
was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 1994 in a national competition
sponsored by Ernst & Young and 'Inc. Magazine.' Two years later,
Safeskin was awarded the distinguished honor by 'Forbes' magazine's as
the 'Best Small Company in America.' In June of 1998, 'Business Week'
hailed Safeskin as the current top performer of all the companies listed
on its Hot Growth Company roster in 1996. Since that time, shareholder
value under Mr. Jaffe's leadership, has soared by 387.2 percent. Mr.
Jaffe is a graduate of Cornell University, where he received a Bachelor
of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations. He resides with his
wife Ann, and their three children in San Diego, CA. Mr. Jaffe is active
in local business and civic organizations. He serves on the board of
BioCom, San Diego and the Young President's Organization, San Diego
Chapter. He has been a Board Member of the UJA Federation of San Diego,
Temple Bethel in La Jolla and of the National Young Leadership Cabinet
of the United Jewish Apparel. Currently, he and his wife are heading a
campaign to build a new pluralistic Jewish Day School, grades
kindergarten through 12th, in San Diego, CA. Profile
Corporation?
Mr. Jaffe: Safeskin Corporation is a leading provider of latex and
synthetic gloves to the medical industry,
