About Rick:
Since I was a kid I've always loved being outdoors. Hiking, camping, hunting, fishing- you name it - I just wanted to be outside every waking moment, and that's just what I did.

As an Air Force veteran, I had a whopping four careers while I was enlisted, which may just be some type of record. During my 8 year stint I worked as a Systems Repair Technician (AFSC 99104 - Electronics design and repair), Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist (AFSC 42650 - I loaded bombs and did maintenance on aircraft armament systems), Medical Technician (AFSC 4N050 - Kind of like a corpsman in the navy) and I even worked as a part time cop which was pretty fun.

For those fellow Gulf War vets, I served 7 months during Desert Shield and Desert storm and spent most of my time at King Fahd International Airport and King Kalid Military City (KKMC-FOL1), where I worked on the venerable, feared A-10 Warthog. I was dispatched with the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, 76th fighter squadron from England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana. HooAhh!

Outdoor/Off-Road Experience:
It all started when I was about 12 or so and a neighbor had a Ford F150 pick up with a lift kit and what seemed at the time like "Monster Truck" tires at the time. Thinking back, those tires were likely no bigger than 32 or 33's. (Funny how things change perspective when you get bigger.) After a few short 4-wheel drive trips, the bug bit me and the rest is history.

Since then I've owned several 4X4's such as a '74 Chevy ¾ ton pick up, a couple of full-size Blazers and my current '74 Land Cruiser. I've also had the opportunity to drive some military 4X4's while in the Air Force. These rigs ranged from Hummers to Deuce-and-a-half's to 5 tons.

4X4REVIEW.COM was started with the help of two close friends - Jody Campbell (Tech Editor) and Tony Salvemini (Contributing Columnist), both of who have been instrumental in making this site successful.

True Loves:
Not in any specific order, catching a 7 lb. bass, making that climb over a 4-plus ledge without any major body damage and of course writing articles for 4X4REVIEW.COM.

Credits:
I'd really like to thank Jana, my wife, for enduring all of the long nights with me at the computer publishing articles on the site and making improvements. I'd also like to thank Jody for sticking with me for 9 years, and all of our contributing columnists, who fill in the big gaps and write entertaining, quality articles for us. Keep up the good work and we'll see ya on the trails!