Since 2012, Rick led Mondelēz International’s Industry Development practice. In this capacity, he worked closely with industry influencers across most major retailing segments within the United States of America.

Rick has been in the Packaged Goods industry since 1977. During his career, he held leadership positions within Mondelēz International, Kraft Foods, Nabisco, Procter & Gamble and Safeway Food Stores.

Rick’s Business Development leadership assignments have spanned the Grocery, Club, Mass and eCommerce retail segments. He has held business development leadership responsibility for such retailers and wholesalers as Wal-Mart, Supervalu, Safeway, Costco, Giant Foods, PeaPod, FreshDirect.com and Amazon.com. As one of the industry’s more enduring veterans in the online grocery retailing segment, Rick developed and led Nabisco’s Global eSales efforts from 1997 to 2001 and continued to lead Kraft Foods’ North American eSales until 2010.

Rick’s Industry Board affiliations include: NACS Board of Directors; NAMA Board of Directors and Executive Committee; NCA Board of Directors and Executive Committee; NGA Board of Directors, Foundation Board, and Supplier Advisory Council (Chair - former); NACS Supplier Board (Past Chair), International Board and Board of Directors (past); NACDS Supplier Advisory Board (Chair); CBA Industry Development Advisory Board; FMI Industry Collaboration Council (Co-Chair - former); GMA Industry Development Advisory Board (Chair - former)

In 2023, Rick was presented FMI’s “William H. Albers Award for Industry Relations” and NGA’s prestigious “Industry Service Award”. In 2019, he was nominated for induction into the Confections Industry’s prestigious “Kettle Club”. In 2018, Rick was inducted into the “Convenience Hall of Fame”. In 2017, he was inducted into the “Candy Hall of Fame”. In 2006, Consumer Goods Technology magazine recognized Rick as one of the “CPG Industry’s 20 Top Visionaries”.