Rick began his career with Environmental Health and Safety (formerly Health Protection Office) in 1990, as a hazardous materials chemist II, supporting hazardous waste management. In 2008, he moved to the chemical safety section within EHS, where he supported spill and emergency planning programs. 

In his current role, Rick is responsible for ensuring campus-wide compliance with the OSHA Standard for Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories. He manages a broad range of chemical safety programs including the chemical hygiene plan, personal protective equipment, spill and emergency planning, campus-wide chemical inventory, safety data sheets, and chemical hazard assessments. His experience in both safety sections, combined with his deep knowledge of university practices, has made Rick an invaluable resource to the UI community.

As Rick prepares for retirement, Austin McKee, chemical hygiene officer, has been training with him for several months and will assume responsibilities for the university’s chemical safety program upon Rick’s retirement.

On behalf of the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Environmental Health and Safety Office, and the entire UI community, we thank Rick for his more than three decades of dedicated service and his commitment to the safety and well-being of our campus. We wish him all the best for a happy and fulfilling retirement!