| Rick grew up in Kingsport Tennessee. Upon graduation from The University of Georgia's
College of Agriculture with a degree in Food Science, Rick started work as the Assistant County
Agent in Bartow County in 1980. He stayed there for a few years, married Marcia Rowlett, and
then went to Bleckley County in South Georgia to further his experience in agriculture. Pickens
County was their final stop and has been their home for 27 years. Rick and Marcia live on a
small farm, and over the years have grown a little bit of everything.
Rick has been very active in our community over the years. He has served on various boards and
clubs. He has been on the Mountain Conservation Trust Board, Chattahoochee Technical College
and Appalachian Cattlemen's Association's Board. He has been a long-time member of the
Jasper Lion's Club and was recently President of the Pickens High School Tip-Off Club. He has
cooked pork and chicken BBQ for many organizations and events to raise money for charity. He
coached little league baseball for years with some great parents. Rick and his kids have had a
small landscaping business for a number of years.
Rick's relationship with God has always been an important part of his life. Christian principles
are an important part of his everyday approach to life and to making decisions. It is the basis of
his enthusiasm to display a servant-leadership approach to public office just like he has in work,
family, and in community activities.
Rick retired in 2009 after 29 years as a County Agent. Budget reductions at the University put a
few of the older employees out to pasture. As an educator with the University of Georgia College
of Agriculture and Pickens County, his role was to teach, inform, and empower folks.
Rick entered a new world of service last year when he was elected to be the 11th Districts State
Representative. Rick represents all of Pickens, part of Gordon and a small part of Bartow
counties.
Rick currently serves as the Chairman of the House Special Rules Committee and as a member
on the following House Committees- Agricultural and Consumer Affairs, Appropriations, Health
& Human Services, Human Relations & Aging, and Public Safety & Homeland Security. |