Richard Vacanerat Tolbert

Vice Chairman of the WRTBU Board of Trustees

Personal Background

DATE OF BIRTH:  APRIL 12, 1950

PLACE OF BIRTH: BENTOL (BENSONVILLE), LIBERIA

MOTHER: CLARA KWASHIWA TAY

FATHER: FRANK EMMANUEL TOLBERT SR

RELIGION: CHRISTIAN (BAPTIST)

MARITAL STATUS: MARRIED WITH CHILDREN

Education

  • 1954-1958: ELEMENTARY: DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL, LIBERIA
  • 1958-1968 SECONDARY: ST. EDMUND’S CANTERBURY, ENGLAND
  • 1968-1972 UNDERGRAD: HARVARD UNIVERSITY (BA, ECON.) 1972
  • 1972-1975 GRADUATE: COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL (J.D. CORP.) 1975

Work Experience

1975-1980:     MESURADO GROUP OF COMPANIES: MONROVIA

VICE PRESIDENT OF TOLBERT FAMILY BUSINESS, LIBERIA’S LARGEST INDIGENOUS ENTERPRISE, EMPLOYING OVER 6,000 PEOPLE IN FISHING, FARMING, RUBBER, MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND INTL TRADE.

1980-1998:      MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH: NEW YORK

VICE-PRESIDENT IN AMERICA’S LARGEST INVESTMENT BANK, RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL    BUSINESS, PRIMARILY TO  THE AFRICAN MARKET.

1998-2005:      UBS/PAINEWEBBER INTERNATIONAL: NEW YORK

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. IN EUROPE’S LARGEST COMMERCIAL AND INVESTMENT BANK, RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING  INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS  IN AFRICA.

2006-2010:      GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA: MONROVIA

CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL INVESTMENT COMMISSION OF LIBERIA AND ECONOMIC ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT . CHAIRMAN OF THE INTER-MINISTRIAL CONCESSION COMMITTEE, RESPONSIBLE FOR ATTRACTING AND NEGOTIATING OVER $15 BILLION OF FOREIGN  DIRECT INVESTMENT TO LIBERIA IN FIVE YEARS. Member of the Cabinet of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Board Membership

  • MEMBER OF THE BOARD, NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (2006)
  • CHAIRMAN, LIBERIA BANK FOR DEVELOPMENT & INVESTMENT (2007-2010)
  • MEMBER OF THE BOARD, LIBERIA BANK FOR DEVELOPMENT (2006)
  • MEMBER OF THE BOARD, LIBERIA CEMENT COMPANY (2006)
  • MEMBER OF THE BOARD, MONROVIA TRANSIT AUTHORITY (2006)
  • MEMBER OF THE BOARD, MANO RIVER RESOURCES INC. (2000)
  • MEMBER OF THE BOARD, DUCOR INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL (1980)
  • MEMBER OF THE BOARD, LIBERIA PETROLEUM COMPANY (1980)
  • MEMBER OF THE BOARD, ALL AFRICA.COM (2000-2019)
  • MEMBER OF THE BOARD, GT BANK (LIBERIA) LTD (2015–2021)
Languages Spoken

French, German & English

Special Activities

  • CHAIRMAN: TOLBERT FAMILY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (2000-2006)
  • MEMBER: CORP. COUNCIL ON AFRICA, WASHINGTON DC (2000-2006)
  • MEMBER: AFRICAN BIZ ROUNDTABLE, SOUTH AFRICA (2000-2006)
  • PRESIDENT: INVINCIBLE ELEVEN FOOTBALL CLUB, LIBERIA (2010-2013)

Humanitarian Activities

  • FOUNDER CLARA TAY ORPHAN FOUNDATION ,BUDUBURAM REFUGEE CAMP, GHANA:2000-2010 RESPONSIBLE  FOR  EDUCATING OVER 1000 LIBERIAN REGUGEE CHILDREN  AT A COST OF OVER $150,000.

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

  • ORGANIZER OF VISIT OF SAUDI BILLIONAIRE PRINCE AL WALEED BIN TALAL TO LIBERIA IN 2005 AND 2006 WHICH LED TO DONATION OF $4 MILLION IN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE BY THE PRINCE TO LIBERIA.
  • ORGANIZER OF VISIT OF AMERICAN BILLIONAIRE ROBERT L. JOHNSON TO LIBERIA IN 2007 WHICH LED TO THE CREATION OF THE $30 MILLION ROBERT L. JOHNSON ENTERPRISE FUND FOR LIBERIANS AND CONSTRUCTION OF $10 MILLION KENDEJA RESORT IN LIBERIA.
  • Worked with U.S Military and logistics companies to co-ordinate activities of U. S. Military during the Liberia Ebola Epidemic 2014-2016.
PERSONAL MOTTO:

“HE WHO SAVES A SINGLE LIFE SAVES ALL OF MANKIND”.