RadioShack became the country's most ubiquitous and iconic seller of electronics goods and parts in large measure because of its long-time CEO John Roach.
Born in Stamford, Texas, like RadioShack, he was raised in Fort Worth. He worked at his father’s grocery store as a boy after school, stocking shelves, handling the cash register and sweeping up. During his undergraduate years at Texas Christian University, Roach worked unloading box cars and as a field engineer. Two years after earning a degree in physics and mathematics, Roach received a master’s in business administration. It was during his course of study for his advanced degree that Roach first learned about computer programming and the potential use of computers by consumers.
In 1967, Roach was hired by Tandy Corp. as a data processing manager, but he had far more valuable capabilities. Aware of the Roach’s positive results, Tandy chairman Charles Tandy, who had bought nine RadioShack stores in 1963, kept a sharp eye on him. Within 14 years, Roach had been promoted through the ranks, first as vice president of distribution in 1972, then VP of manufacturing in 1976, executive-president of RadioShack and ultimately president of Tandy itself.
Roach promoted the idea of personal computing. As a result of his research and promotion of the concept within Tandy and to Charles Tandy, RadioShack began selling the TRS-80 PC, which sold for the low price of $399 in 1977 and quickly became a top-seller. Several upgraded models followed, all equally successful, helping to establish the market that would be exploited by Apple and later IBM. In 1978, the first of a nationwide chain of RadioShack computer centers opened in Fort Worth. In 1981, Roach became the youngest CEO in the country and, in 1982, was named chairman of Tandy. Radio Shack gave early credibility to Microsoft, Nokia, AOL and others.
Roach set about to make sure that, like himself, talented employees were found, encouraged and promoted at Tandy. Roach helped develop a strong lineup of store managers, engineers and company executives. To help feed Tandy’s need for talent, Roach encouraged education with a program of financial rewards to teachers and students who made outstanding contributions to academic excellence in science and math.
While growing RadioShack, Roach also established additional retail brands for Tandy to increase its growth potential, including the launch of Computer City in 1991 and The Incredible Universe in 1992. Roach solidified Tandy’s concentration on retail when he auctioned off the company’s manufacturing arm in the early 1990s.
Roach was honored throughout his career as one of the nation’s leading technology executives. He was named Financial World’s “CEO of the Year” in 1981, served as a member of President Reagan’s Council on Private Sector Initiatives, was named Forbes' Business “Speaker of the Year” in 1988, Financial World's “CEO of the Decade in Specialty Retailing” in 1989, received the EIA Medal of Honor in 1993 and was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 1994.
Roach retired from Tandy in 1999, then served as chairman of the board of Justin Industries, was chairman of the trustees of Texas Christian University for 15 years, and, as a nod to his humble beginnings, served as a member of the board of directors and is a member of the Horatio Alger Association.