Rick has made a career with a broad background in fisheries development, international market development, and sustainable fisheries management. He is actively engaged in marine fisheries consulting, fisheries development, fisheries communications, cooperative research, and fisheries liaison services. He has developed export-based fisheries and has served in several capacities within the state, interstate, and federal fisheries management process. He served as Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council from 2008 through 2016, and served on the Virginia Marine Resources Commission from 2005 through 2013. He led the Council through several major initiatives including the Visioning Project and strategic planning process, the development of its Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management, the Deep-sea Coral Protection Amendment, the Unmanaged Forage Amendment, and ACL/AM implementation following the 2006 Magnuson Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act reauthorization.

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Professional awards include the White House Champion of Change (2016), Mid-Atlantic Fisherv Management Council Award of Excellence (2016), Monmouth University Regional Ocean Champion (2015), and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Annual Award of Excellence for Science, Technical and Advisory (2009).