The Rock of the Radford Family

Robert A. Archer, CEO of Blue Ridge Beverage Company, Inc., and rector of Radford University’s Board of Visitors, is a stalwart in the region, known for his service, family-owned business and guidance to Radford.

Archer’s father purchased Blue Ridge Beverage in 1959 with other partners and later bought out the partners, truly turning the company into a family owned and operated business. From a humble beginning with 10 employees at one location, the company has grown significantly under the family’s guidance with 475 employees at four locations throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Throughout Archer’s extensive history with Blue Ridge Beverage, he has had five brothers or sisters involved with the company, and his mother — who is 94 — still comes into the office.

“It’s given me the opportunity to do a lot of things that I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to do otherwise,” Archer said. “My sister, Jackie, is the COO and runs the company day-to-day. We’ve been blessed to have great people, who have supported us and worked with us here at Blue Ridge Beverage to help make it a success. My mother brings us the mail each day, and she enjoys doing that. We’re just blessed that she’s able to do that.”

Archer’s service to the family business, the community and Radford began with his experience in the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech. Following his graduation, Archer was commissioned in the Army, where he served in Vietnam for a year and a half with the 82nd Airborne Division.

After his service to the United States, Archer returned home to serve his family, as he had a feeling that his father needed some help. Not long after his return to Virginia, his father passed away at 51, six months after Archer returned home from the Army.

“In December 1972, here’s my mother in an industry that had very few women owners. That was a very trying time for us,” Archer said. “We survived and fortunately grew.”

Archer maintained his service to the country, even after returning home through the Army Reserves, where he completed his military career with 30 years of service and retired as a colonel.

As Archer continued his service to the country, he also was committed to serving the community.

“There’s so much need out there, and we strive to give back,” Archer said. “Businesses should give back to the extent to which they are able. For us, we’re local. We know the charities, and we know the people here. We’ve gotten to know them over time. We grew up here, and we went to school here. We know what the area’s needs are.”

Some of the ties to the region came from his family. Archer’s oldest daughter earned her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Radford University, while his youngest daughter attended Radford University on a scholarship for tennis.

“Jill ’00, my youngest daughter, earned her degree in interior design, and it really set her up for success later in life,” Archer said. “After working for an international architectural and design firm, Jill joined the family business.”

Having two daughters attend Radford was where Archer thought his involvement would end — being the parent of two alumnae. Later, an unexpected call came inquiring if Archer would be interested in serving on the Radford University Board of Visitors. He was.

“The more I knew about Radford, the more I was interested,” Archer said.

As a member of the Board, and now as rector, Archer wants to support President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., the students and the faculty. Being involved with students firsthand is a privilege for Archer.

“If everybody could experience that, it will give you a lot of hope for the future,” Archer said. “The time the Board spends with students is uplifting. It makes you realize why we are really here. We can talk about any aspect of the University, but it has to be about the students and faculty. The University needs to be innovative, creative and provide a level of education that sets students up for success.”

Archer wants the legacy of the current Board to be that of ensuring Radford’s success for years to come. One such example of that is Radford University’s merger with Jefferson College of Health Sciences, which is having a profound impact on healthcare and health education in the region through the creation of Radford University Carilion (RUC).

“These are the types of things that we need to be doing to ensure that a Radford degree has a lasting meaning, and that the school will continue to be successful in the future.”

Through Archer’s dedication to his family, the family business, Radford, the community and to himself, he is having a lasting impact on the region he has long called home.