Rick began his career in underground mining in 1978 working for Stauffer Chemical as a mechanic. He joined the mine rescue team in1979 as a Benchman, maintaining all of the breathing apparatus. Rick then held various positions on the team and in 1999 became the Captain of the OCI Blue Team. In 2006, he accepted the position as Team Trainer which he currently holds. Rick participated in 15 Metal and Nonmetal National contests and 46 Regional contests. The team placed first at several regional contests and won the National contest twice. He responded to the 1995 Solvay Mine Collapse, emergencies at FMC in 1998 and OCI in 2006, and the 2007 Crandall Canyon Mine Collapse. Rick is always ready to help and is a dedicated professional member of the mine rescue community, serving for 35 years.