Rick earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from Shorter University in Rome, Georgia, and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is a non-practicing member of the Alabama Bar Association. Rick opened the Huntsville branch and was Branch Manager at Morgan Keegan, working there for almost 24 years. Rick and Steve founded Smith Thornton Advisors in 2011. Today, Rick is Senior Wealth Advisor for the firm. He serves as a Trustee for the Jane K. Lowe Charitable Foundation.