Richard Schaeffer
2007 We Are Family Visionary Award Honoree

Richard Schaeffer is the chairman of NYMEX Holdings, Inc., and the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. He has been a member of the board of directors since March 1990; he was the treasurer of the Exchange from 1993 to 2004, the vice chairman from 2004 to 2006, and has been an executive committee member since 1992. Mr. Schaeffer has been an Exchange member and seat-owner since 1981.

Mr. Schaeffer has been deeply involved with children's charitable causes for many years. He has been very involved with the NYMEX Charitable Foundation from its inception 18 years ago and is active in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, New York chapter. He was honored by Chai Lifeline as Man of the Year in 2005 and co-chaired the 2006 and 2007 annual dinners. Earlier this year he received the Community Service Award from Futures and Options for Kids and the Rear Admiral John J. Bergen Industry Award from the Navy League. Annually, Mr. Schaeffer participates in the WFAN Radiothon which raises funds for Tomorrows Children's Fund and the Imus Ranch.

In addition, Mr. Schaeffer has participated in the Challenge Thirteen fundraiser for public television station WNET and, with a colleague at the Exchange, donated equipment and renovations to the pediatrics unit at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. Furthering his commitment to the Center, Mr. Schaeffer hosts a New Year's Eve party each year for the seriously ill children who are confined there.

In 2006, Mr. Schaeffer helped organize a fundraiser at the Exchange to raise money for Brianna's Fund -- United Cerebral Palsy of Suffolk County, NY, for the purchase of adaptive rehabilitation equipment for children and adults. For that effort, he was honored by UCP with their Distinguished Leader Award.