Richard (Rich) Gelfond is chief executive officer of IMAX, one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies.

Under his leadership, IMAX has evolved from a niche purveyor of nature and science documentaries to a Hollywood movie force — both as high-tech exhibitor and a creative partner in the movie-making process.

IMAX has more than 860 theatres in 59 countries (including 186 theatres in Greater China). IMAX presented some of 2014’s top movies including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Godzilla and Marvel”s Guardians of the Galaxy.

Gelfond, one of entertainment’s longest-tenured executives, joined IMAX in 1994 as co-chairman after his firm, Cheviot Capital Advisors, bought the company. Gelfond previously served as an investment banker in mergers and acquisitions with Drexel Burnham Lambert.  

A lawyer by training, Gelfond began his career as a law clerk with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and as an associate with New York City-based law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.

Gelfond holds a BA from Stony Brook University and a law degree from Northwestern University.

Gelfond serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the Stony Brook Foundation, Inc., which is affiliated with Stony Brook University. 

Gelfond is a member of the board of directors of the Atlantic Council. He is also a member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts & Science.  In 1996, Gelfond and investment partner Brad Wechsler received an Academy Award on behalf of IMAX for Scientific and Technical Achievement.