Remembering Rand

From an early age, Rand worked diligently helping to build the family business, Solgar Vitamins and Herb Company, into a household name for those who demanded integrity and high quality in nutraceuticals. While attending Emory University, Rand worked in between college semesters to learn every detail of the business under the tutelage of his mother and father, Connie and Allen Skolnick. After graduating with a B.A. in biochemistry and political science in 1979, Rand joined the family business full-time. Within five years, he took the strong Solgar foundation his father and mother built as an extraordinarily successful Northeast regional brand to a national powerhouse.

Rand’s success was predicated on a single belief that in the age of self-help, consumers will seek out information on alternative products and therapies to conventional allopathic medicine. It was through this belief that led Rand to build Solgar as a major leader in bringing this philosophy to an emerging industry and creating awareness throughout the world.

After the success of Solgar’s national expansion, Allen Skolnick passed the baton to his son, and Rand became the youngest CEO in the natural products industry. In 1989, he left for England to open up Solgar Europe. Within 10 years, he had opened up successful operations in over 42 countries, and Solgar Vitamin and Herb was the number one supplement brand in the U.K.

In addition to growing his family’s company, Rand also spent a lot of time managing the growth of the industry. He served as a board member of the East Coast Health Organization and was an active member of the comply committee of the National Natural Foods Association (NNFA) which helped to bring proper legislation and regulation to the dietary supplement industry.

Beginning in 2002, together with his partner Terrence Meck, Rand helped revitalize the diverse community of New Hope, PA by restoring such institutions as The Raven and creating new destinations like The Nevermore Hotel. Both The Raven and The Nevermore quickly became a tourist destination for LGBT travelers from around the globe and also served as a Community Center for Bucks County, helping to raise awareness and funds for dozens of local and national charities.

Rand was continually busy with work, but never allowed his extended schedule to distract him from his many philanthropic endeavors. To Rand, success was measured by how much he was able to better the lives of those less fortunate and protect the rights of communities facing discrimination.

While he supported a plethora of charitable organizations, it was Rand’s 20 years of loyal service on the board of Bailey House that truly captured his spirit and generosity. In 2009, his love and devotion was memorialized at the Rand Harlan Center for Housing, Wellness and Community in East Harlem of New York City. The Center is dedicated to housing, education, HIV prevention and care of people living with HIV/AIDS in one of the neighborhoods hardest hit by the epidemic.

In addition to Bailey House, Rand volunteered time, money, and corporate commitments to several other HIV/AIDS organizations in the U.S. and abroad, such as GMHC, HCN Now Care Resources, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, National AIDS Foundation, AMFAR, Gods Love We Deliver and the Gay & Lesbian Foundation of South Florida. He also sat on the board of directors and part of the founding group at SunServe, which is the first ever federally funded Senior Center Day Care Center for the GLBT community. Aside from his dedication to HIV/AIDS organizations, Rand, through his family’s foundations, donated hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to charities such as the United Jewish Appeal, SAJES, Jewish Theological Society, Solomon Schecter Schools, Fuchsberg Foundation as well as various YMCA Groups and other local community groups.

During his battle with pancreatic cancer, Rand articulated his vision for The Palette Fund. Today, the Foundation’s mission statement reflects his wishes and will enable his legacy to continue with the same style, grace and love that Rand portrayed for 50 inspiring years.

Click here to read more about Rand on our Executive Director’s Blog

Obituaries

New York Times- July 7, 2008

The Bailey House Board of Directors, our dedicated staff, and the men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in New York City who Bailey House serves and houses mourn with overwhelming sadness the loss of our friend, champion and fellow board member Rand Skolnick. A fierce, loyal and generous advocate for homeless people living with HIV/AIDS, Rand’s humanity, wisdom, humor and love will forever be our guide and standard. We extend our deepest condolences to Connie and Allen and the entire Skolnick family who made Rand’s cause their own; even as our hearts are breaking, we are awed by your courage and comforted by your grace. We witnessed with joy the great and everlasting love that Rand and Terrence shared. In the darkest, coldest hours Terrence, you lifted all of us up so we could see by the bright, warm light of your love for Rand. And Rand, our darling Rand, we honor you, we miss you terribly and we will always, always love you.

New York Times- July 8, 2008

Rand Harlan Skolnick passed away peacefully at his summer home in New Hope, PA on July 4th, 2008. Surrounded by his longtime partner Terrence Meck and family, Rand succumbed to his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 50 years old. He will be remembered as a wonderful son and brother, loving husband, honest businessman and great friend to so many. Most of all, he will always be remembered for his ability to remain humble throughout his all too short life. From the beginning of his career until his death, Rand was an avid philanthropist. In the end, people were Rand’s greatest joy.