Semi-retired after a 35-year career in public service in which he held the titles of City Clerk, City Solicitor and City Clerk & Solicitor,  Rick currently assists municipalities and local boards with governance challenges with the goal of achieving greater transparency, accountability and openness in local government – which he calls the “Muniverse”. 

A member of numerous municipal and provincial bodies, Rick participated in various legislative initiatives and developments including: Bill 68 – Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act, 2017; Bill 3 – Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022; and Bill 23 – More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. 

Former member of various municipal bodies, Rick participated in the development of AMCTO’s Code of Ethics in 2014-2015, as well as the 2024 revisions. As a community volunteer, he was Vice-Chair of a local Committee of Adjustment, Chair of a Property Standards Committee and an Executive Member on the Ottawa CAS's Board of Directors. 

Rick testified as an expert witness on ethics and conflict of interest in the Toronto and Collingwood judicial inquiries and has been honoured for his work in the “Muniverse” including: the Prestige Award from AMCTO in 2006; the Elaine Robinson Volunteer of the Year Award in 2012 from the Ontario Good Roads Association; and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for his ongoing efforts in making local government more transparent, accountable and open.  Among the first to receive the designation of “Certified Municipal Officer” from AMCTO, Rick was also awarded a Certified Specialist in Municipal Law, Local Government, from the Law Society of Ontario. 

Rick is the author, co-author and editor of numerous municipal books, articles and publications including Open Local Government (2nd ed. 2003) and Ontario’s Municipal Conflict of Interest Act: A Handbook (2nd ed. 2019). He is a regular speaker at various local government conferences; and most recently, an Adjunct Professor at Carleton University for the “Law and Ethics” course, in the School of Public Policy and Administration.