# Bob McCollum

> Bob McCollum is the long-serving CEO and driving force behind R.S. Hughes Co., Inc., an employee-owned industrial distributor headquartered in Sunnyvale, California that has grown into a $527 million enterprise spanning North America. A University of Michigan alumnus and former college quarterback, McCollum spent decades building RS Hughes into one of North America's top 50 industrial distributors, known for its culture of integrity and genuine care for employees. He has been recognized for significant philanthropic contributions to the University of Michigan athletics program, endowing the quarterbacks coaching position with a $2 million gift in 2022.

- **Role:** CEO at R.S. Hughes Co., Inc.
- **Organizations:** R.S. Hughes Co., Inc., University of Michigan (alumnus/donor)
- **From:** Struthers, Ohio, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BA in Speech and Business, University of Michigan
- **Known for:** Grew R.S. Hughes Co., Inc. into a $527 million annual revenue enterprise and Top 30 industrial distributor in North America, Led acquisition of Dayton Distributors in the late 1980s, expanding RS Hughes' geographic reach, Built RS Hughes into an employee-owned company with 45+ warehouse locations across the US, Mexico, and Costa Rica

## Career timeline

- **1956-1961** — Attended University of Michigan; played as QB on the football team (freshman squad 1956, varsity 1957)
- **1961** — Graduated from University of Michigan with BA in Speech and Business
- **Late 1980s** — Led acquisition of Dayton Distributors, integrating it into the RS Hughes network
- **2001+** — Served as CEO/President of R.S. Hughes Co., Inc. during major growth period
- **2016** — Created the Robert McCollum Endowed Football Scholarship at University of Michigan
- **2018** — Pete Biocini elevated to CEO; McCollum continued in senior leadership/chairman role
- **2020** — Bill Matthews appointed CEO following Pete Biocini's passing; McCollum transitioned to chairman role
- **2022** — Committed $2 million gift to endow the quarterbacks coaching position at University of Michigan (now the Robert McCollum Family Quarterbacks Coach)

## Achievements

- Grew R.S. Hughes Co., Inc. into a $527 million annual revenue enterprise and Top 30 industrial distributor in North America
- Led acquisition of Dayton Distributors in the late 1980s, expanding RS Hughes' geographic reach
- Built RS Hughes into an employee-owned company with 45+ warehouse locations across the US, Mexico, and Costa Rica
- Endowed the University of Michigan's quarterbacks coaching position with a $2 million gift in 2022
- Created the Robert McCollum Endowed Football Scholarship at University of Michigan in 2016
- Cultivated a distinctive company culture centered on people, integrity, and long-term relationships - resulting in multigenerational employee families at RS Hughes

## Latest updates

- **2025-04** — R.S. Hughes announced John Mathis as President, with Bill Matthews retiring as CEO after 4 years in the role - the leadership succession McCollum helped set in motion continues.
- **2026-02** — R.S. Hughes Costa Rica achieved ISO 9001:2015 and AS9120B certifications, reflecting the company's continued international expansion.
- **2022-10** — University of Michigan officially named the quarterbacks coaching position the Robert McCollum Family Quarterbacks Coach in recognition of his $2 million endowment gift.

## Links

- Website: https://rshughes.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-mccollum-06312414
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/pages/RS-Hughes-Co-INC/284173658273691

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/bob-mccollum
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Last updated: 2026-05-30