Richard Montanez is a globally recognized name and is the Vice President of Multicultural Sales & Community Promotions across PepsiCo’s North American divisions and is considered as one of the most influential Hispanic leaders in the United States according to Fortune and Newsweek. However, as we know good things take time, and in the same way behind this utmost successful businessman, there is a tough past and an inspirational journey. Richard Montanez is also well-known for his strict principles, the powerful and insightful leader has led him to the accomplishment of his new ideas and policies. Let us start from his early days, and how he became successful.
How Did Richard Montanez Become Successful: His Early Life And Journey
Richard Montanez was born in California in a migrant labor camp, and he was raised in a one-bedroom apartment along with his ten other siblings. He revealed that he faced problems in his school years as he wasn’t fluent in English, and he mostly spoke Spanish. Richard felt humiliated every day to go to school, and finally, he dropped out of school at the age of 18 and worked as a janitor under Frito-Lay in 1976. No matter how surprising it sounds but Richard has never received a high school or college education. During the initial years, once he watched a Cheetos machine broke down, and he took the remaining Cheetos to him. While he was eating those, he felt something missing and he happened to season the Cheetos with some spices and it tasted like Mexican street corn. The taste took over Richard and he ended up calling Roger Enrico, the former CEO and managed for an appointment to bring forth his presentation on the idea. Surprisingly, this incident was one of the most crucial one as fate had greater plans for him and it changed his life forever. He went to LA and made the officers taste his sample and it was soon approved by them ending in billions of revenue. However, later he faced a controversy which said it was not Richard who invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, and it was prevalent more than a decade ago Richard found it. Still, Richard remains one of the important reasons why the flavor gained so much attention including other ones of Cheetos flavor like Flamin’ Hot popcorn flavor. Apart from being a successful businessman, he was also a motivational speaker, author, and instructor. Richard gives lectures to MBA students at a California state university. Richard also wrote books like A Boy, a Burrito, and a Cookie, and Flamin’ Hot: The Incredible True Story of One Man’s Rise from Janitor to Top Executive, based on his past experiences which shaped him into the man he is today.
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Who Is Richard Montanez Married To?
Richard Montanez married his wife, Judy and the couple is currently together for more than 37 years. They had welcomed their three sons and are also grandparents to five kids. It is also reported that Judy, his lady love was present with him when he struggled in his early years.
What Is Richard Montanez Net Worth?
The qualifications and position occupied by the businessman are enough to explain Richard Montanez net worth. Richard is one of the biggest contributors towards Flaming Hot Cheetos and this idea led to a significant increase in his official ranks in Frito-Lay. He actively participates as a motivational speaker, instructor and advising new students about their careers. Along with his published books, it is also rumored that Eva Longoria would be making a biopic on him named Flamin’ Hot, which would make a decent contribution to Richard Montanez net worth, though Richard announced his retirement in 2019. According to 2021 reports, Richard Montanez net worth is nearly $15 million.
