Vision

Rick brings over 18 years of experience in strategic planning and implementation, including creation and execution of long-range business plans for the:

Midwest Collegiate Conference

NAIA Conference Commissioner's Association

University of Maine Athletics

America West Hockey League

Bozeman Icedogs and Valley Ice Garden


Leadership

Rick has demonstrated progressive leadership skills with a 'team-building' approach in his roles as:

Commissioner - MCC

Chair - NAIA CCA

President - AGCC

President - AWHL

GM - Bozeman Icedogs and Valley Ice Garden


Community

Rick is committed to the Story County community and is active in:

Story Theater Company - Board Member

Ames Golf and Country Club - Board Member

Iowa Junior Match Play Tournament - Creator

Youth Coach in Baseball, Soccer, Softball and Basketball

AHS Post-Prom 2009 - Co-Chair

The Sanders Timeline

Professional Career:

2005-present - Commissioner, Midwest Collegiate Conference - oversee all administrative functions of the Midwest Collegiate Conference including all budgeting, planning and enhancement for the 9 Institution league (8 in Iowa and 1 in Wisconsin). Named NAIA Commissioner of Merit in 2010.  Full MCC bio here

2003-2005 Owner, Cyclone Vending - small candy vending company in central Iowa.  Sold assets in 2005 when named MCC Commissioner.

2002-2003 - Associate Athletics Director, University of Maine (interim) - oversaw all external operations for the $13 million Athletic Department.

2001 - 2002 - Basketball Coach - Substitute Teacher, Orono High School, Maine - Taugh all High School courses and coached the Basketball team for the 350 student Orono High School during our first year in Maine.

2000-2001 Owner, Natural Advantage Food Distributor - bought a small food distributor that was in distress.  Reworked business processes and added acounts.  Sold 9 months later as solid ongoing business.

1999 - 2001 - President and Commissioner, America West Hockey League, Montana, North Dakota and British Columbia - promoted by the AWHL's 12 franchises to oversee all operations and league funtions.

1997 - 1999 - General Manager, Bozeman Icedogs Hockey and Valley Ice Garden, Montana - ran $9.5 mil, 3,500 seat multi-purpose facility and Junior A hockey frachise of the America West Hockey League.  Raised over $500k in sponsorships and soldout 34 of 40 home contests. Named AWHL Administrator of the Year in 1998.

1994 - 1997 - President/Owner, Expert Services - Event Management Company, Alabama - created and ran an event management company, established accounts with the Senior PGA Tour, Oak Mtn Amphitheater, Birmingham City Stages, UAB merchandising and concessions and the Birmingham Barons AA Baseball franchise. Sold to Southland Services in 1997 prior to move to Montana.

1989 - 1994 - Athletic Academic Coordinator, University of Alabama at Birmingham  - Created and managed the first academic advising unit for UAB Athletics.

Appointed Boards and Volunteer work:

2009 - present - Lincoln Way Red Cross Board of Directors

2008 - present - Story Theater Company Board of Directors

2008-present - National Administrative Council (NAC), NAIA

2008 - present - Chair, Championships Committee, NAC

2008 - 2009 - Conference Standards Task Force, NAIA

2007-present - Chair, Conference Commissioners Association, NAIA

2007-2008 - Transition and Implementation Committee, NAIA

2007 - President, Ames Golf and Country Club

2006-present - Marketing Task Force, NAIA and NACMA (National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators)

2006-2007 - Direct Qualification Task Force, NAIA

2005-2008 - Council of Affiliated Conferences and Independents, NAIA

2005-2007 - Board of Directors, Chairman of the Membership Committee, Served on Golf Committee and Course Committee, Ames Country Club

2005-2006 - Vice-chair, Association of Affiliated Conferences, NAIA

2004 - Press Conference Moderator for the NCAA Women’s Basketball 1^st and 2^nd Rounds, Ames, Iowa

2003-2005 - Creator, Iowa Junior Match Play Championship

2000 - General Manager for the USA Hockey Junior National Team which won the Gold Medal at the 2000 Viking Cup in Camrose, Alberta, Canada

1990 - Coordinator of Volunteers for the PGA Championship played at Shoal Creek Country Club, Birmingham, Alabama