As a Vice President, Rik is responsible for implementing strategic plans and media relations; writing and editing news releases, viewpoint columns and letters to the editor; developing collateral materials; conducting community relations; and, other associated public relations activities.

Rik has an extensive background in state and federal government, political campaigns and journalism. He has worked as a spokesman and speechwriter for political leaders in Michigan and Washington, D.C. Rik previously served as the Communications Director for then-Congressman Jim Barcia and as his campaign spokesman.

Most recently, he ran John J. Gleason's winning campaign for the State Senate and played a key role in defeating a statewide ballot initiative. Previous to his work in politics, Rik spent more than a decade as an award-winning journalist at newspapers in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.