Rick holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a master’s degree in Urban Planning from Georgia Institute of Technology. He worked as a Project Manager and State Director for The Trust for Public Land for 17 years. In these roles he was able to play an important role in greenway and park development in Chattanooga, Tennessee and helped conserve an additional 4000 acres for Cumberland Gap National Historic Park and Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park. Currently, Rick served as an advisor to the Thrive Regional Partnership.

During this time, Rick was able to see and experience how parks can transform communities while understanding the details and hurdles that get in the way, frustrate and cause delay. Currently Rick works as Business Development Manager for Playcore.