Rick graduated from North Cobb High School in 1988.  He then attended college at Valdosta State, where he played football and then transferred to West Georgia where he finished his college football career.  He prematurely left college to accept a job opportunity as a supervisor for a prominent Atlanta based Precision concrete construction company.  Rick worked his way up the ladder with Precision before pursuing his childhood dream of being a firefighter.  

Rick’s firefighting career started with Carroll County Fire/Rescue in 1998, where he received the Rookie Firefighter of the Year in 1998, and Diver of the Year in 1999. While with Carroll County, Rick aggressively trained in all aspects of rescue, from Rope Rescue to Underwater Search and Rescue.  During 1999 he was one of 25 hand picked divers from the state of Georgia to attend a two week class of advanced instruction in underwater search and recovery, which was taught by Walt “Butch “ Hendricks, whom is world renowned in the Scuba world. 

Rick was employed by the City of Carrollton in 2001. He is currently assigned to Ladder #21 on A-shift and helps with various rescue instruction. 

Rick attended the Georgia Fire Academy, where he received certifications in Fire Ground Hydraulics, Structural Fire Control, NPQ Rope Rescue Technician, NPQ Confined Space Rescue Technician, and Rescue Systems I. 

Rick is a certified Dive Master through NAUI and PADI, rescue diver, public safety diver, and has numerous other certifications involving Scuba Rescue. 

Rick is a member of The Georgia State Fire Fighters Association and West Georgia Regional HAZ/MAT Team.