Class of 1959

Richard Aginian

Award Winning Newspaper President, Publisher and CEO

Chairman, Walsh College Board of Trustees

Birmingham Community House Citizen of the Year

Inducted into Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame in 2014

Richard D. Aginian is a 1959 honors graduate of Dondero High School. There he gave a clue to his future when he served as the editorial editor of the Acorn, the school newspaper. He would continue his education at Monteith College at Wayne State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He also holds a MBA from Rutgers University and is licensed as a CPA and a Notary Public.

Mr. Aginian began his career in the field of international accounting. He also worked for a shot time in the automotive sales business. His major contributions to the world of work would be in newspaper publishing.

Richard Aginin joined the Home Town Communications Network in 1977 as its treasurer and two years later became the President and CEO. The company published local newspapers in several states including here in suburban Detroit. For 30 years, under Dick’s leadership, the company would grow four fold. Home Town Communications would eventually operate four plants; publish one daily, 62 weekly and twice-weekly newspapers and many other specialty and niche publications. In 2005 the assets of the company were acquired by Gannett Publishing and Mr. Aginian was made president and publisher of the Observer & Eccentric and Mirror newspapers. Because of his experience and knowledge, he also served as a formal consultant to Gannett as it made the transition to new ownership.

Richard Aginin is an avid golfer had has served as a volunteer for many golf tournaments. He was the vice-president of finance with the US Golf Association during the 1996 US Open. He also was a part of the executive committee that put on the 2004 Ryder Cup for the PGA.

Mr. Aginian has spent countless hours in community service to a wide variety of organizations. He is a member of the Rotary. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Walsh College, where he also chaired the finance committee and taught finance classes. As a trustee at William Beaumont Hospital he served on their finance and investment committees. He also served as a trustee for the metropolitan Detroit YMCA Foundation. The Community House in Birmingham is a place where people meet to bond, get food, an education and some personal help. Recently the Community House recognized Dick Aginian as its Citizen of the Year.