Rick graduated Magna Cum Laude from Butler University in 1973 where he majored in Radio/Television and minored in Journalism.
In 1981, he joined Emmis Broadcasting as its first Program Director at flagship station WENS-FM, 97.1 Indianapolis (now Hank FM). In 1984 he became the National Program Director for Emmis.
He launched KPWR, Power 106, Los Angeles in 1986, as well as Hot 97 (WQHT, New York) and the country’s first all-sports station, WFAN, New York in 1987.
In 2002, Rick became President of the Radio Division of Emmis Communications.
On December 15, 2008, he became President of Programming for the domestic radio group.
He sits on the boards of the National Association of Broadcasters and Radio Advertising Bureau and is a member of the Board of Trustees at Butler University. He is also on the Board of Directors of Project Sunshine. He resides in La Canada, California with wife, Martha and has two children - Kate, 19 and Gabriel, 17.