Our Team
Precision Through People
Rick is the General Manager of Flight Operations at Tactical Air Support. Initially founded on the model of the US Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and US Air Force’s Weapons School, Tactical Air Support is redefining government contracting as a non-traditional defense company focused on value-based, innovative, and technology-driven products and services for the US Armed Forces.
Prior to Tactical Air, Rick served as a Naval Aviator flying multiple aircraft. He was a Weapons and Tactics Instructor in three communities: as an EA-6B Prowler Tactics Instructor, EA-18G Growler Tactics Instructor, and a US Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) Adversary Instructor, in both the F/A-18A-F and F-5N aircraft. His military aviation experience includes qualifications as a mission commander for combat sorties in Afghanistan and Iraq, Squadron Training Officer, and assignments as Aviation Safety and Operations Department Head. Rick concluded his Naval career as the Commanding Officer of Fighter Composite Squadron Thirteen (VFC-13).
Rick began his career with Tactical Air Support as a technical consultant, providing test and evaluation support of developmental combat systems, aircrew training, and publication production for NAVAIR on the F/A-18A-D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and EA-18G Growler. He was then selected to lead the stand up of Tactical Air Support’s Adversary Air Services flight operations for both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.
His civilian aviation experience includes certification as an Airline Transport Pilot and line airline pilot for Delta Air Lines. He has accumulated thousands of hours in fighter and civilian aircraft, primarily in the EA-6B Prowler, all variants of the F/A-18A-G Hornet and Super Hornet, F-5N Tiger II and Boeing 737. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Pathways to Aviation, has extensive military and civilian experience in flight operations and business leadership, and is a business owner and advisor in the Reno/Tahoe area.
Rick has a bachelor’s degree in Business from Jacksonville University.
