KMR Co-Founder Marty Rifkin Featured in University of Tampa’s Fall 2024 Magazine

We’re excited to share that KMR Group Foundation co-founder Marty Rifkin ’82 is prominently featured in the Fall 2024 edition of the University of Tampa magazine. The extensive profile chronicles his journey from a young entrepreneur to an industry pioneer and dedicated philanthropist.

From Student to Business Leader

The University of Tampa’s magazine dedicates several pages to exploring Marty’s remarkable story, beginning with his early entrepreneurial ventures and following his path to becoming known as “the gummy guy” in the vitamin industry. The feature article includes photographs of Marty at the university’s recent commencement ceremony and details his ongoing connection to his alma mater.

Creating the Billion-Dollar Gummy Vitamin Industry

In the magazine profile, Marty shares candid insights about his business journey, including the challenges and triumphs of creating the gummy vitamin industry. “We were an overnight success that only took us 25 years,” he tells the magazine, reflecting on the path that led to building a multi-billion dollar market.

The article highlights how Marty and his wife Kate Jones, whom he met during their time at UTampa, transformed a struggling vitamin company into an industry leader through innovation and perseverance. Their creation of L’il Critters Gummy Vites and VitaFusion is now documented as a pivotal moment in vitamin industry history.

University Honors and Recognition

The magazine coverage coincides with two significant recognitions from the University of Tampa in 2024:

• Marty’s receipt of the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award
• His selection as a 2024 commencement speaker

Supporting Future Students

The feature concludes with the announcement of the newly established Kate Jones & Marty Rifkin Scholarship for UTampa nursing students, which will support 10 exceptional nursing students annually over the next decade.

At KMR Group Foundation, we’re proud to see our co-founder’s story shared with the University of Tampa community and beyond. The magazine’s feature not only celebrates Marty’s entrepreneurial success but also highlights our foundation’s ongoing commitment to education and community support.

The feature article appears in the Fall 2024 edition of the University of Tampa magazine, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic vision that continue to drive our foundation’s mission.