As a conservative, small businessman, Rick knows firsthand what it takes to live within a budget, make payroll and successfully grow a business. His extensive business background guides his commitment to promoting policies that allow the private sector to thrive and fighting against regulatory burdens the federal government is placing on the backs of business owners.

Rick is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, one of the oldest standing committees of the House of Representatives with broad jurisdiction over such issues as health care, energy policy, cybersecurity, and telecommunications. Rick is also a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, which focuses on strengthening our nation's schools and expanding opportunities for Americans in the modern workplace.

The son of a farmer, Rick is proud to have served on the House Committee on Agriculture for eight years, working as an advocate for farmers in Washington and shaping legislation to bolster Georgia's number one industry. Rick graduated from Auburn University's School of Architecture and Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction. He and his wife, Robin, have been married for 49 years and reside in Augusta. Together, they raised four children and are the proud grandparents of fourteen grandchildren.

In addition to being a devoted husband, father and grandfather, Rick is an active member of Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church. He is also involved in a number of different business and civic organizations in his community and has earned a reputation as a principled business leader. In 2008, he received the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year Award and took part in the first class of Leadership Augusta in 1980. In 2011, Rick was also inducted into the CSRA Business Hall of Fame.