Rupert Walters
Following a fruitful business career in Marketing, Sales & Top Management, Rupert focuses his efforts at the Cancer Support Team
Rupert A. Walters has been inducted into Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Over several decades, Mr. Walters has built a distinguished career, rising to CEO and Chairman roles in “for profit” and “not for profit” businesses, both domestically & internationally. Highly motivated, Mr. Walters started his path to business success by receiving a MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. Over the next 14 years he excelled in foundational and senior positions in Advertising, Marketing, Sales & Product Management at J. Walter Thompson, General Foods & Warner Amex Cable Television.
His first CEO responsibility began in 1983 running a division of the Sara Lee Corporation, Popsicle Industries. Throughout his career, Mr. Walters has been recognized for his contributions and achievements in (“making things better)”. His innovative work with Popsicle led to a front-page feature in the New York Times Business Section in 1986; “The Popsicle’s Rejuvenation.” Additionally, Fortune Magazine acknowledged his potential early in his career, naming him One of the “PEOPLE TO WATCH” in 1986. Following his success at Popsicle, in 1988 Mr. Walters became the SVP and CEO of Residential Mortgages at Chemical Bank, again successfully using his (“making things better”) skills.
Having served on the NPD Group Advisory Board from 1987-1993, Mr. Walters decided to focus on creating and sustaining profitable growth in the marketing information industry by becoming President of The NPD Group, now Circana, where he again demonstrated his ability to drive significant revenue and profit growth from 1993-2001. NPD sold 50% of their Marketing Information business in 2001 to Ipsos, a leading, publicly held, worldwide marketing information business, headquartered in Paris, France. Mr. Walters became President & COO of Ipsos America, Inc. (US and Canada) and a member of the Ipsos Worldwide Management Board from 2001-2006. Returning to NPD in 2006-2014 as Group President, he was responsible for sustaining and increasing the growth of the marketing information provided to clients and prospects in the industries of Beauty, Fashion, Music, Toys, Video Games and Watches.
Deciding to retire in 2014, Mr. Walters also decided to make a continued commitment to excellence in the “not for profit” sector. Since 1986, he has held membership in the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), which led to YPO Gold after age 50. This continues to provide the opportunity to connect with other leaders and share insights on business management and leadership. Also on the radar screen, was his continued involvement with Cancer Support Team, where he has been Treasurer & a Board Member since 1986, rising to Chairman in 2023. Mr. Walters was brought to the Cancer Support Team Board by Gayle K. Lee, one of the organization’s founders, and the wife of his best friend, John Lee. Mr. Walters continued involvement became more personal following the loss of both John and Gayle Lee to Cancer in 2001 and 2004, respectively. Sadly, his deepest roots to the team evolved from the death of his older son, Adrian, to Cancer in 2010. As Chairman, Mr. Walters hopes to assist more patients in helping them to successfully manage their condition with the support of qualified medical professionals.
Other areas of continuing commitment for Mr. Walters will be in his communities, as well as some civic organizations. He served on the Board of Directors of the Bonnie Briar Country Club from 2014-2020, created and successfully implemented the plans to reverse declining membership trends and developed long-term growth plans. He has been an active member of the Larchmont Yacht Club since 1980, working on various club Committees such as Finance, House & Tennis for many years. At LYC, Mr. Walters has been a member of both the Tennis & Paddle Tennis teams for 30 plus years, playing other clubs competitively in the metropolitan area. Such roles have allowed him to contribute to his interests and hobbies which include boating, golf, paddle tennis and tennis.
Mr. Walters is a dedicated family man; he has been married to his wife Jean for over five decades, having met her while at Wharton, and together they have had two sons, Adrian and Peter, and a great family life filled with joy. The closeness they shared helped them face the challenge of losing their son/brother to cancer in 2010.
