Rick was born and raised on a farm in Porterville, California. In 1983, he received a B.S. degree in crop science at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He earned his M.S. degree in integrated pest management at University of California, Riverside in 1985. Rick has over 35 years experience in the seed industry. Currently he holds the position of Managing Director at Rijk Zwaan- USA. Rick and his wife Michelle have been married for 37 years and they have 3 children. Rick has served several leadership roles in seed and other agricultural organizations.

• Past president of the California Seed Association
• Past chairman of the Organic Seed Committee at the American Seed Trade Association
• Past chairman of the ASTA Vegetable and Flower Seed Division
• Past chairman- ASTA Permanent Seed Research Fund
• Past chairman- Seed Advisory Board for California Department of Food and Agriculture
• Past vice president of Monterey County Agricultural Education Inc.
• Past chairman-advisory council at University of California Seed Biotechnology Center
• Board member- American Seed Research Foundation
• Board member-First the Seed Foundation
• Agricultural advisory council- Hartnell College
• Past western regional vice president - American Seed Trade Association