# Richard L. Sharp

> Richard L. “Rick” Sharp (1947-2014) was an American retail executive, entrepreneur, and investor. As Circuit City CEO from 1986 to 2000, he helped expand the electronics chain and championed the team that developed CarMax. He later chaired the independent used-car retailer, invested in Crocs, and founded V-Ten Capital Partners.

- **Role:** Retail executive, entrepreneur, computer-systems engineer, and investor
- **Organizations:** CarMax, Circuit City Stores, Applied Systems Corporation, Crocs, Flextronics International, V-Ten Capital Partners
- **From:** Washington, D.C., United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** High school graduate, George Washington High School, Alexandria, University of Virginia, College of William & Mary, Advanced Management Program; executive education, Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Co-founded CarMax and provided executive sponsorship for its development within Circuit City., Led Circuit City during an increase from 69 to 616 stores and approximately $1 billion to $12.6 billion in sales., Founded Applied Systems Corporation in 1975.

## Career timeline

- **1975** — Founded Applied Systems Corporation, a custom hardware and software business.
- **1982** — Joined Circuit City as executive vice president.
- **1984** — Became Circuit City president.
- **1986-2000** — Served as Circuit City CEO.
- **1991** — Worked with Austin Ligon on the used-car retail concept that became CarMax.
- **1993** — CarMax opened its first store in Richmond in September.
- **1994-2002** — Served as Circuit City board chairman.
- **1997** — CarMax began trading as a Circuit City tracking stock.
- **2002-2007** — Chaired CarMax after its separation from Circuit City.
- **2007** — Retired as CarMax chairman effective June 26; remained involved with Crocs and Flextronics.
- **2008** — Inducted into the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame.
- **2011** — Retired from the Crocs board and chairmanship.
- **2013** — CarMax dedicated its first store to Sharp and announced an entrepreneur scholarship endowment.

## Achievements

- Co-founded CarMax and provided executive sponsorship for its development within Circuit City.
- Led Circuit City during an increase from 69 to 616 stores and approximately $1 billion to $12.6 billion in sales.
- Founded Applied Systems Corporation in 1975.
- Served as a founding investor and board chairman of Crocs.
- Inducted into the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame in 2008.
- Honored through the CarMax-Rick Sharp Entrepreneur Scholarship, supported by a $250,000 endowment.

## Latest updates

- **2023-10** — CarMax marked its thirtieth anniversary at the NYSE with founding associates; its announcement reported more than 11 million retail car sales since launch.
- **2014-06** — Sharp died on June 24, 2014, aged 67.
- **2013-05** — CarMax dedicated its original Richmond store to Sharp and established a scholarship endowment.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/richard-sharp
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Last updated: 2026-10-13