Ronald K. Rinker 8W5, owner and partner of Rinker & Brown Custom Carpentry and General Contracting in Conshohocken, Pa., has joined Williamson’s Board of Trustees, announced board chairman William Bonenberger 7W9.
Bonenberger said, “We are extremely excited about Ron joining our board. Ron exemplifies exactly what it is to be a Williamson Man in both his personal and professional life. He has been an actively involved alumnus since graduation, has great relationships with many of our alumni, and is going to add great value and insight to both our Facilities Committee and our Education and Student Life Committee. Ron understands how Williamson changes young men’s lives because he’s living it.”
Rinker said, “I’ve always had a great respect for the board members ever since, as a student, I attended one of their meetings to present a proposal from the students to pave our parking lot. I appreciate all they do to keep Williamson strong and guide the school into the future. I am honored, humbled, and inspired to be a part of this team.”
Rinker founded his company in 1988 with classmate John Brown 8W5. Their company has grown over the years, has hired many Williamson graduates, and has earned a reputation among custom builders for providing high-end finish carpentry services.
At Williamson, his company has installed cabinets in the Lipp Education Center, done trim work at Watson Dorm, C Cottage, and Derrickson Dorm, and has completed other projects over the years.
Earlier, he was a maintenance carpenter for National Label Co., a printing company in Lafayette Hills, Pa., where he had worked part-time since high school, and worked briefly on his own as a carpenter, before teaming up with John Brown.
An active, dedicated, and generous alumnus, Rinker is a member of Williamson’s Wanamaker Society and, in Culture of Philanthropy presentations, has spoken to Williamson students on the importance of supporting the school financially after graduation.
He is the Class of 8W5’s class representative, a member of the Carpentry Program Advisory Committee, an alumni mentor, and attends, and often helps out, at many events such as the FYE BBQ, Alumni Weekend, Holiday Happy Hour, the Cornhole event, the Golf Outings, and the Williamson Association of Alumni’s general meetings.
Over the years, he also has served on capital campaign committees and participated in fund-raising phonathons, to name only a few.
As a Williamson carpentry student, he served as Student Council vice president and president, was on the yearbook staff and Dance Committee, was co-captain of the cross country team, dormitory supervisor, and, as foreman of a shop project, was responsible for building and installing 32 custom doors in Rowan Hall, which are still in use today.
Williamson has played an important role in his life and he has never forgotten it. He said, “I truly do not know where I would be today had it not been for Williamson. I learned my trade, a good work ethic, pride in craftsmanship, the discipline to get the job done, gained confidence in my abilities, and, most of my best friends are from Williamson.”
He and his wife Rebecca live in Conshohocken and have four children. He umpires summer tournament baseball games in West Norriton, has served as president of the West Norriton Little League, and played many years in the Plymouth Slow-Pitch Softball League. He now manages a team in that league comprised of mostly young players, some who played together since Little League. He also has been a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
He was born in Mountain View, Calif., and adopted at birth by Carolyn and Norman Rinker. When Norman passed away 15 months later, Carolyn moved to Conshohocken. When he was 23, he was reunited with his biological mother and since has had frequent contact with his birth family. “It was exciting to meet my biological mother, older brother and sisters, and the rest of the family. I’m glad to know my history and remain in contact with members of that family.”
He also loves being a part of the Williamson family.
