I am thrilled to have joined the Be Like Brit family in my role as Director of Development. I first learned about Be Like Brit when I began coaching their Boston Marathon team 3 years ago.
I have been a running coach for 24 years, mostly coaching runners for the Boston Marathon. I became a coach for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society after promising my mother I would do something significant with my life when I spoke with her the very last time in the Mayo Clinic. She had been diagnosed with leukemia and passed away 3 weeks later. 

After having helped raise $65 million for leukemia research, I was honored to be named Man of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and to also carry the Olympic Torch in 2004. It was wonderful to honor my mom’s life and memory in such a significant way. I have always been inspired by Len and Cherylann’s commitment to honoring the life and memory of Britney. It is an honor to join them, and the entire BLB staff, in strengthening Brit’s legacy of compassion, faith, hope, and love.

I first visited Haiti just over a month ago and witnessed the impact BLB is having on the 66 children in Brit’s home. I didn’t expect the incredible impact my time in Haiti would have on me. The desire I had to help Haiti was entirely overshadowed by the help Haiti provided me.
Haiti reminded me that wealth isn’t measured by how much money or material things we possess. Rather, it’s measured by the compassion we have for others. While in Haiti, I observed several grade levels of classroom instruction. I was so impressed with the active learning methodology being incorporated in the curriculum. As we define the ‘Path to Success’ for our children, education will be at the core of their success. I am comforted by the strong foundation of learning that currently exists at Brit’s Academy!

My future with Be Like Brit is filled with promise. I stand on the shoulders of all who have given their time, love, compassion and resources to bring us to our 10th Anniversary. I am determined to play a key role in clearly defining the ‘Path to Success’ for our children and ensuring our relevance for the next 10 years…and beyond!

-Rick