PORTFOLIO

The foundation for Rick’s professional experience began at three years old when he had his first ride on a fire engine. The passion and desire to become a firefighter grew through the years and came to fruition in 1976 when he became a probationary member of the Cedarville Fire Company in New Jersey. Rick joined the U.S. Air Force where he first worked on F4-E Phantom fighter jets and eventually moved into firefighting. He served as both a military and civilian firefighter with the Air Force and later joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a firefighter. As a result, of over staffing levels, the Marines moved Rick into aviation operations. Upon separation from the Marines, Rick moved to Colorado, married Deb, raised two girls, and was a long-serving member of Loveland Fire Rescue.

 

Rick’s professional experience spans a forty-five-year period and includes opportunities from the military that would never have occurred as a civilian such as working on and coordinating maintenance efforts on fighter jets, serving as a fire department company officer years ahead of his civilian counterparts, having the chance in his early twenties to lead and train others in dangerous and dynamic environments, and many other opportunities offered through military service.

 

Rick’s time with Loveland Fire saw him progress through the ranks from firefighter to battalion chief. During his career, Rick volunteered to lead the hazardous materials unit where he built a professional team through training, updated policies and procedures, and modernized equipment. He continued team-building efforts when promoted to battalion chief and serving as a shift commander with the fire department. Rick concentrated on improving and molding his personnel through leadership training, professional development, and on-the-job training.

 

After serving as the hazardous materials team leader for eight years, Rick took over the reins of the wildland firefighting program. Applying his successful skills at building teams, Rick immediately went to work developing better relationships and cooperation with regional, county, state, and federal wildfire agencies. He also implemented a consistent training program for wildland team members and department personnel in the wildland firefighting arena. Rick oversaw the department’s recruiting program and also developed several promotional processes that included writing interview questions, designing scenarios, and developing written assignments for the candidates.

 

Rick began teaching and instructing in 1981. Over the years he refined his approach to teaching, and he is committed to providing a practical and enjoyable experience to those who attend his classes. In addition to firefighting and hazardous materials topics, Rick teaches classes on leadership, communication, situational awareness, and decision making. In 1981 while stationed in Denver, Colorado, Rick had a life-changing experience when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Consequently, Rick has taught many adult Bible study classes in churches where he also served as chairman of the deacons.

 

Rick believes in serving others with integrity and building leaders who have strong character qualities. How about you? Are you doing enough to develop yourself and those in your organization? Is personal and professional development worth the investment? Rick’s proven skills and abilities as a leader, team builder, and instructor will help you and your organization overcome the multiple challenges faced in today’s world.

 

To learn more about Impactus and the services Rick offers,
please contact him at info@impactusleadership.com