Rick began his residential development company directly out of college in 1975. Over the past 40 years Richport has built a variety of building types in dozens of communities throughout Metro Atlanta. Through subsidiary companies Rick also has many years experience in land development and real estate brokerage. His companies have developed over $550 Million of real estate during his career. In 2006 Rick expanded his industry involvement by accepting a Professor position in the College of Design at Georgia Tech, and became a Professor of Practice in 2016 as well as the initial Director of the Master of Real Estate Development program in the College of Design. 

Rick’s career has been punctuated with industry leadership and environmental stewardship. He represented the development industry in negotiating side by side with representatives of the environmental community, public utilities and the State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division to develop the first successful General Permit for Stormwater Discharge under the EPA’s NPDES program in Georgia. He has developed several conservation communities that resulted in over 400 acres being placed in permanent conservation easements in favor of local and state trusts. In 1994, Rick was recognized by the national Keep America Beautiful program for an on-site construction waste recycling program that included a recycled construction material component for the new homes.