Prior to joining HMA, Rich served as the CEO for a newly formed public behavioral health managed care organization. He managed contracts for specialty behavioral health services totaling more than $250 million annually. Services included the full array of mental health treatment services, including inpatient, outpatient, community-based and integrated physical and behavioral healthcare services across a diverse population and geographic area. This included the integration and management of substance use prevention and treatment services across this continuum.    

Rich also performed many roles within a multi-county community mental health organization. As executive director, Rich managed federal, state and local government funding streams, and led efforts to form local collaborative partnerships in the areas of healthcare, human services, law enforcement, local corrections, housing, and children’s services. This included leading the organization to become a licensed substance use disorder outpatient treatment provider. Rich also was clinical director, serving adults and children living with mental illness, developmental disabilities and/or substance use disorders. Responsibilities included the management and supervision of community-based treatment contracts, including jail diversion, prisoner reentry, sex offender treatment services, juvenile justice counseling and diversion and family reunification support. He spearheaded strategic planning and organizational restructuring and managed affiliations and service network partnerships. As a clinician, Rich has worked in and with community, jail and institutional settings. This included work with adults and children with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse issues, and physical and sexual abuse victims and perpetrators.   

During his time at HMA, Rich has worked on numerous behavioral health, long-term services and supports and behavioral health (mental health and substance abuse) integration projects, including a first in the nation pilot of integrated healthcare in state prisons with the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). This has included training, technical assistance and support to leadership and physical/behavioral healthcare staff at Michigan prisons. Rich is currently providing project leadership and technical assistance to implement Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) throughout Michigan’s prison system. Rich works with numerous provider organizations to support strategic planning and business development across the spectrum of behavioral health services.     

He received his master’s degree in social work from Grand Valley State University and his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.