Rick Webb, Ph.D.

After 12 years leading several different organizations at Walmart, Rick is now the Director of Grit Studios, a startup business incubator focused on entrepreneur education and professional development. He has a passion for startups, STEM education and creating a collaborative, innovative business environment. Rick graduated from Oklahoma State University with a BS in Architecture, and MS and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering & Management. After graduation, he formed a consulting firm, Webb & Shirley, that focused on retail operations and worked with many of the nation’s largest retailers. In 2009, Rick was named the Sam Walton Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a leadership award selected by the Walton family. In 2013, Rick was elected into the OSU CEAT Hall of Fame. In 2015, Rick was the recipient of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers Captains of Industry award, awarded to industry leaders who have had significant impact to their companies and the engineering discipline.