General | March 10, 2026 | 8:31
The Detroit Sports Commission, Detroit's sports tourism entity, is proud to announce the newest member to join its board – Rick Keyes.
Keyes is the President & CEO of Meijer, the family-owned and privately held retailer that operates more than 500 supercenters, neighborhood markets, grocery stores, and express locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.
A 36-year Meijer veteran, Keyes is the company's 11
th President and first non-Meijer family member CEO. Under his leadership, Meijer has strengthened its position throughout the Midwest and continues to live its purpose of enriching lives in the communities it serves.
"It's an honor to welcome Rick Keyes to the board of the Detroit Sports Commission," said Terry Rhadigan, Board Chair of the Detroit Sports Commission. "Meijer's commitment to our beloved sports franchises — from the Meijer Performance Center (headquarters of the Detroit Lions), the Meijer logo adorning the Tigers' jerseys, and the Meijer entrance at Little Caesars Arena — their presence in our city is ubiquitous. Adding Rick's voice to our board is yet another show of support from this vital, Michigan-based company."
Keyes has been widely recognized for his leadership and impact. He was named the 2024 Peter C. Cook Excellence in Business Award recipient by Davenport University and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Ohio Northern University in 2019.
He earned his Bachelor of Science Pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University, where he now serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees and is also Chair of the Detroit Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He also serves on several community and industry boards, including Retail Industry Leaders Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and Business Leaders for Michigan.
"I'm honored to join the Detroit Sports Commission Board and work alongside such a dedicated group of leaders who are passionate about elevating Detroit on the national and global sports stage," said Keyes. "Sports have a unique ability to bring people together, strengthen communities, and drive economic impact. I look forward to supporting the Commission's efforts to attract and deliver world-class events to Michigan."
The Detroit Sports Commission Board is a committed group of regional leaders representing Detroit's corporate, civic, and nonprofit sectors. As a strategic advisory body, the board helps guide the Detroit Sports Commission in advancing Detroit's profile and competitiveness as a premier host city. Board members support the organization's mission by providing strategic insight, community connectivity, and major-event funding leadership – strengthening our ability to attract, create, and deliver impactful sporting events for the region.
