Rich Solomon receives Trailblazer Award

Illinois Times · Karen Ackerman Witter · September 9, 2026

Rich Solomon, center, receives the 2026 Trailblazer Award from the Abraham Lincoln Council, Scouting America. On his left are Brad Ware, Council board president, and right, Jeff Whitten, Council scout executive.

" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.illinoistimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-Trailblazer-Award-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C351&ssl=1" /> The Abraham Lincoln Council, Scouting America presented its prestigious Trailblazer Award to Rich Solomon, chair of the board and CEO of Solomon Colors, at a Sept. 8 dinner at Erin’s Pavilion at Southwind Park. The Trailblazer Award was established in 2010 to honor a member of the central Illinois community who exemplifies the attributes the scouting organization encourages in scouts. Recipients demonstrate the characteristics of the Scout Law such as being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly and kind. Since 2010, the annual Trailblazer event has raised more than $975,000 to support programs that benefit local youth.

Springfield-based Solomon Colors produces granular pigments and is a leader in the decorative concrete market. Rich Solomon’s grandfather founded the company in 1927. Having worked in a coal mine, he had the inventive idea to transform mining byproducts into vibrant pigments for cement and mortar.

Rich’s father, Bob Solomon, led the company for many years and Rich grew up in the family business. Rich’s son, Adam, is the fourth generation to lead this family business, which is now the largest independently owned decorative products manufacturer in the world. Innovation is fundamental to Solomon Colors, which is constantly developing new products.

In accepting the award, Rich Solomon reflected on his days as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout and going on wilderness adventures with his son, who was also in scouting.

“Scouting builds character,” said Rich. His former Troop 38 scout master, Ken Anderson, was in attendance.

“As Solomon Colors approaches its 100 th anniversary in 2027, its legacy of innovation, family leadership, investment in employees and commitment to Springfield and central Illinois, including longstanding support of local charities and community organizations, embodies the spirit of a true Trailblazer,” said Jeff Whitten, scout executive.

Past Trailblazer recipients include James Dove, Evelyn Brandt Thomas, Dr. Richard Moy, Dr. Naomi Lynn, Dick Levi, Sergio “Satch” Pecori, Dr. J. Roland Folse, Geoff Isringhausen, Dr. Stephen and Lisa Stone, the Bunn Family, Dan O’Brien, Julie Staley, Mike O’Shea, George Preckwinkle Jr., Dr. Ron Romanelli and the Ace Sign Co. family.

The Abraham Lincoln Council, Scouting America serves more than 1,300 youth and their families annually across central Illinois through many programs such as Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts and Exploring. For more information or to get involved, go to https://www.alincolnscouting.org/ .

Karen Ackerman Witter grew up in the Pasfield Park subdivision in Springfield and knew the Solomon family, who were next-door neighbors.

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