Charis Richison is the wife of Chad Richison, the CEO of Paycom Software, Inc., a prominent American online payroll and human resource technology provider based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Chad Richison gained significant attention when he was recognized as the highest-paid CEO in S&P 500 companies in 2020, with compensation valued at $211 million.
Chad and Charis Richison. Source: commercialappeal.com
Background and Education
Born Charis Michelle Barnett on March 7, 1971, Charis is a native of Oklahoma. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Oklahoma State University in 1993. From 2001 to 2004, she reportedly worked at Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a company under Johnson & Johnson. In 2020, Charis Richison enrolled in Wake Forest University Graduate School, studying clinical mental health.
Previous Marriages
Charis Richison had been married twice before she met the Paycom CEO. She was first married to Michael Clinton, and later to Robert Linfante.
Philanthropic Endeavors
Charis is passionate about helping students across the state and has volunteered in Oklahoma City schools, assisting students with the management of their diabetic medical plans, serving as a mentor, and providing cultural experiences for OKC students in the arts through Civic Center experiences.
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Last year, Chad and his wife Charis announced a $1 million donation to The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools’ coronavirus relief efforts. Dr. Sean McDaniel, superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools, expressed immense gratitude for Charis’ involvement and the impact of this gift.
In addition to his earlier philanthropic initiatives, Richison and his wife Charis have expanded their focus to community transformation within Oklahoma. Their gifts span the arts, education, mental health and social services.
Chad Richison's Career and Philanthropy
Chad, a former senior manager at payroll firm ADP, founded Paycom in 1998. He took Paycom public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014 and owns about 14 percent of the shares. Richison, a graduate of Tuttle High School, holds a B.A. Richison founded Paycom in 1998 and has remained on as its President and Chief Executive Officer.
In November 2015, Richison made the single-largest donation ever to his alma mater's athletic program. In 2015, Richison founded the Green Shoe Foundation, an organization devoted to helping functioning adults reconcile childhood traumas so they can live a life of peace and maturity. In addition to Green Shoe, Richison also created the Richison Family Foundation, which provides funding for organizations in children's education, foster care, food supplies and mental health.
In 2021, following a $10 million donation from Richison, the University of Central Oklahoma's football stadium was renamed the Chad Richison Stadium.
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Paycom founder, UCO donor Chad Richison pushes back on pick for university president
Chad Richison Stadium at the University of Central Oklahoma. Source: uco.edu
Key Contributions of Chad Richison and Charis Richison:
- Arts: Supporting cultural experiences for students and contributing to arts organizations.
- Education: Providing funding for children's education and supporting school programs.
- Mental Health: Addressing childhood traumas through the Green Shoe Foundation.
- Social Services: Funding organizations involved in foster care, food supplies, and community support.
Additional Philanthropic Activities
Among these is a $5 million donation to complete Oklahoma City’s American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, now bearing his name, providing free lodging to cancer patients and caregivers.
Richison was ranked one of the top 100 CEOs nationally in 2019 by Glassdoor and was the only Oklahoma executive on the large business list.
Debbie Richison, Chad's mother, passed away on August 7, 2021. She is survived by her husband Randy Richison, oldest son Chad Richison and wife Charis, daughter Shannon Rowe and husband Rob, sister Diana Nowlin husband Ed, six grandchildren, Gabe Richison and wife Kaytlin, Abrie Richison, Ian Richison, Charlie Rowe, Ava Richison, Ruby Rowe and 4 great grandchildren.
Her services were held at Crossings Community Church on August 13th, with masks required for all attending. A visitation with family for Deborah was held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home on August 12, 2021.
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Oklahoma City. Source: okc.gov
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