Richard (Rick) Ecker Email & Phone Number

Chesterfield, Virginia, Us

During the course of serving more than 34 years in public service, I have been fortunate to have worked more than 12+ years as the Director of Community Outreach for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving five Secretaries of Defense; four Chairmen and four Vice Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I have worked all sides of veteran issues, and was able to learn, advice, and help bring attention to problems which surround our veteran communities. Spending more than 22 years as a United States Marine, I focused a majority of my career in Public Affairs / Community and Media Relations, working with not only Marines, but veterans from all branches of the service. I have worked as an Executive Director of a nationally based, military focused; youth oriented foundation, as well as managed an Air Force Public Affairs contract supporting Headquarters, U.S. Air Force as well as the Public Affairs Office at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Serving in other high levels of government, I was at the forefront of veteran issues. From a national level, I was able to learn; and many times offer support to an array of organizations focused on veteran issues. From homelessness to keeping a veteran in his home, I experienced first-hand “the need” that our veterans face today.I have always had a concern for our veterans, first responders and their families; and have continually looked for ways where I could give back…The Vets on Track Foundation is giving me that opportunity. I created the Foundation to help address needs and give our veterans and first responders all the support we can possibly give…I am able to give back in a huge way – a positive way!My wife and two daughter’s are helping me honor and support our servicemen and women and first responders. Together, we look to build the Vets on Track Foundation into an organization that develops “real” solutions for “real” issues surrounding our veterans, first responders and their families.

San Antonio, Texas, Us

• Primary communications manager for Training Division’s bureau-wide emails• Socialized communication strategies regarding initiatives aligned with Director priorities and Bureau strategic plans, cultures and values.• Manager of a Bureau-wide monthly training-specific publication, “Did You Know” • Storyline researcher for the Bureau’s online law enforcement magazine, “Law Enforcement Bulletin” (LEB)• Liaison between LEB program and the FBI National Academy Association, Inc.

Washington, D.C., Us

Over the course of nearly 12 years, I served as the Director of Community Outreach for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Played a vital role in all aspects of the Chairman's and Vice Chairman's community outreach efforts. Collaboratively developed nationally focused outreach programs like the NBA's Commitment to Service Program, that serves the needs of active duty, veterans and their families.Served as the senior community outreach and media engagement specialist in the Chairman’s public affairs office. Responsible for marketing programs and engagements to achieve maximum exposure of the Chairman’s communications objectives to the widest internal and external audiences and improve the morale of the Force.Managed the Chairman's outreach objectives by clearly communicating the Chairman's strategic priorities to diverse national and international audiences through execution of a proactive public outreach program. Prepared the Chairman, Vice Chairman and other senior Joint Staff leaders to dialogue with media, academia, industry, and non-traditional partners.Aggressively worked to maintain a high level of community service for the Office of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Focused greater emphasis with regard to the Outreach Division’s expanded reach in supporting other senior officers on the staff in their outreach missions. This effort afforded the Outreach Division an opportunity to reach a broader, more diverse group of people and has provided the American public with a clearer vision of the mission of today’s armed forces.

Led a team of professional Public Affairs employees in support of The Defense Threat Reduction Agency's contractor Public Affairs support tasks.Recruited to help establish a public affairs presence within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Public Affairs Office. Spearheaded a program that saw public affairs contractor support jump from part-time off-site support to five full-time on-site contractor support, to include fully qualified public affairs personnel. • Served as the agency's first contractor public affairs action officer, thereby opening the door for future contractor public affairs support.• Developed programs and processes to improve mission effectiveness of the office and the agency.• Developed and wrote public affairs guidance for newly developed programs.• Developed and wrote media training classes for the agency.• Established guidelines and protocols for future contractor public affairs support.• Served as lead business developer for CSC in the government public affairs arena.• Simultaneously managed multiple public affairs tasks, with varying degrees of difficulty.

Recruited to spearhead comprehensive organizational restructure, while driving development and rollout of national programs, campaigns, and public awareness initiatives. Served as Foundation’s first salaried Executive Director, managing all daily operations, including fundraising, budget forecasting, and human resource management.• Managed strategy and development of new programs to promote advancements in youth fitness throughout elementary and high schools nationwide. • Produced and maintained program books for participating educators. Collaborated extensively with school fitness directors and instructors on custom program implementation. • Championed planning, development, and deployment of numerous national outreach programs, including National Youth Physical Fitness Program, National High School Physical Fitness Program, and National High School Semper Fidelis Musical Excellence Award Program.• Solely managed complete restructure of Foundation operations, including workflow processes, policies and procedures, and personnel roles and responsibilities, streamlining daily business while significantly increasing public image.• Coordinated and authored Foundation Grant Book, detailing procedures for proposing and obtaining corporate grant contributions.

Was in charge of the day to day operations within the Public Affairs Office.

Public Administration

Public Relations/Image Management