Nerds have active, curious minds. They seek input from many sources. Nerds pay attention to what’s going on around them. They develop plans, and follow though, no matter what. Nerds know how to work with others to get things done. Nerds don’t take “no” for an answer – and they quickly tire of those who say “this is the way we’ve always done it.” Nerds aren’t concerned with taking credit. In fact, they understand that amazing things can be accomplished if one doesn’t worry about who gets credit.

While still in public school in Battle Creek, Rick knew what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to quickly acquire the education necessary to succeed in a variety of endeavors. He wanted a successful career in the private sector, followed by a career in the public sector.

How has he done?

His curious mind led him to start reading Fortune and Business Week before age 10. He began investing in the stock market in his early teens, earning enough for the down payment on his first house. He graduated from Battle Creek Lakeview High School a semester early, having already earned 25 college credits. He enrolled immediately at the University of Michigan. Not accepting the conventional wisdom that degrees take a set amount of time to earn, he was awarded his undergraduate degree (with High Distinction), his MBA (with Distinction) and his JD, all by the age of 23. He had a vision and a plan, and took the action necessary to execute. This is the process he’s used over and over.

After earning his degrees, Rick accepted an offer from Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) for a tax accounting/auditing job in Detroit, in spite of more lucrative offers from out of state. Again flying in the face of convention, Rick was named partner in six years, an incredibly short period of time. For the first three years after graduation, he also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Accounting, teaching tax in Michigan’s MBA program. That’s what a nerd does in his “spare” time.

Rick was offered a position with an upstart computer company, Gateway, located in (of all places), Sioux City, South Dakota. Others may have flinched at the prospect of moving there, but once again, Rick saw an opportunity to gain valuable executive experience in the private sector (remember those early goals?)

Rick was eventually named President and COO of Gateway. Under his leadership, the company grew from approximately 700 employees to over 10,000 domestically. Along the way, many tough decisions had to be made. Rick has always been able to balance no-nonsense, fact-based analysis with the ability to work with, and motivate, others. It’s this analytical managerial balance that helps account for his success.

As a successful venture capitalist, Rick led investments in a wide variety of technology-based start up companies. Anyone who has been through even one start-up operation, let alone dozens, knows how challenging the process is and how difficult the decisions can be on an organization and its people.

As the first Chairman of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, appointed by Governor Engler in 1999, Rick had to literally get a brand new organization off the ground. Relying on his mantra of “Vision – Plan – Action,” Rick quickly built a strong business model recognized as one of the nation’s leading public-private economic development programs. The result? From 1997 to 2003, Michigan won the prestigious Governor's Cup award from Site Selection magazine five times. This award is presented to the state with the highest number of new or expanded facilities in Site Selection's database. He also oversaw the launching of the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor.

Rick has also been an economic development leader in Washtenaw County for the past decade. Rick wrote the business plan and was the first Chair for Ann Arbor SPARK – one of the most successful economic development programs in the country. SPARK recently reported that 2009 it helped secure $147 million in investments for the region, while helping 33 companies announce expansions with plans to hire a total of 2,118.

Two start-ups in particular stand out as examples of Rick’s intelligence, vision and tenacity. The first, Health Media, was co-founded by Rick. The company develops and sells on-line products that help individuals identify and achieve wellness goals. With Rick’s guidance, the company achieved such impressive growth that it was eventually acquired by Johnson & Johnson. The operation remains in Ann Arbor, providing important jobs for the community.

The second, HandyLab, develops molecular diagnostic systems for disease detection and treatment. Its first product is aimed at improving the health of expectant mothers and newborn babies. Rick served as Chairman of the Board. As was the case with Health Media, the company’s achievements were such that they attracted the attention of Becton Dickenson, who in late 2009 acquired HandyLab. The operation also remains in Ann Arbor.

Rick believes he has an obligation to give back to the community. He continues to help individuals and organizations in public and private ways. He has served on numerous boards or advisory committees, including The Henry Ford, The Nature Conservancy – Michigan Chapter, the Bank of Ann Arbor, the New Economy Initiative, and the University of Michigan. His previous board experience includes the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (Chair), Ann Arbor Spark, and the Sphinx Organization. Rick is also a member of the Michigan Bar Association.

Rick continues to exceed the goals he set at a young age.

An outstanding, driven student. A successful executive. A leader and mentor responsible for substantial job growth in the very industries that Michigan needs for a brighter future. A man with a strong sense of civic responsibility. A man devoted to his wife and family.

One tough nerd indeed.