After earning a Master's Degree in American History from the University of Montana, Dick served in the Army and in the Peace Corps (four years in Afghanistan). He returned to Montana in 1975 and started working in community and economic development where he first worked as a planner, grant writer, and Executive Director for the District 4 Human Resources Development Council in Havre. 

 

After 21 years helping communities meet their infrastructure needs and assisting with business start-ups and expansion, Dick moved to Missoula in 2000 and worked as the Executive Director of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation for 12 years. A couple of his noteworthy achievements include: Helping Pyramid Lumber in Seeley Lake stay in operation , which saved about 150 good paying jobs, and working with the University of Montana to establish MonTECH.

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