Rick is the founding director of Ring Sarasota Handbell Ensemble. First introduced to handbells in 1985, he has been actively ringing and leading handbell choirs ever since.

His first career was serving as a musician in the U.S. Navy, where he performed in, managed and directed Navy Bands worldwide for 30 years. During his time in the Navy, Rick volunteered as a youth choir director and was also part time Director of music at several churches. He regularly leads workshops and clinics for handbell ringers and choirs.

Rick’s first handbell arrangement, a complete transcription of ‘Jupiter from the Planets‘ published by From the Top Music was chosen to be played at the Distinctly Bronze East 2015 event.  His handbell arrangement of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”  is published by Lorenz.  Rick has also had the honor to ring in Distinctly Bronze East.

Rick is Director of Music at Pine Shores Presbyterian Church, where he leads an extensive Music Ministry. Rick is an active member of the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the Handbell Musicians of America, Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and the Fellowship of Methodist Musicians. Rick and wife Cher have three grown children and five grandchildren. In his spare time, Rick can be found working with his ‘O’-gauge model train layout.