“The opportunity that Dogwood has to use significant funds to impact this small of a population is amazing.”
When Rick Houck retired as a Rear Admiral with the U.S. Coast Guard, he and his wife settled in Hawaii, her native state, and built what they thought would be their “forever home.” Having moved 16 times, they did not think they would ever move again. But when first visiting Brevard, they bought land on a mountain looking out on the Blue Ridge Mountains and now say, “Why vacation? We’re here.”
Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Rick earned a BS degree in nuclear engineering and naval architecture from the Coast Guard Academy where he was also a gymnast. He began in engineering with the Coast Guard and later earned an MBA from Pepperdine University and a master’s in mechanical engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School. He served in afloat and ashore engineering and management positions including three start-up units. As a flag officer, he served as the Coast Guard’s CFO and Commander of the Coast Guard in the Pacific Northwest. His career was about “building new organizations” having also led three significant reorganizations during his tenure.
Rick has contributed to each of the communities in which he’s lived, working with the Red Cross, Nature Conservancy and local Chambers of Commerce, symphonies and festivals, among others. Naturally, he sought out community service opportunities soon after arriving in Brevard in the summer of 2018. He now volunteers with the Transylvania Transportation Commission, Brevard Music Center, and mountain bike clubs.
Rick says that when he learned about Dogwood Health Trust, he “wanted to get involved right away.” Having experience in organizational development and design as well as strategic planning, his background and interests fully align with Dogwood’s development.
“My whole career has been about transforming organizational structures but the opportunity that Dogwood has to use such significant funds to impact this small of a population is amazing.”
“To get to the root cause, not just responsively solving the symptoms, will reduce the need for food banks, shelters, or remedial programs for kids. Dogwood can do both, and we have the intellect and desire of the Board and staff to do both. We can be responsive when needed, but investing now in opioid abuse prevention, racial equity and affordable housing will preclude the need for responsive interventions later.”
Address:
890 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
Mailing:
890 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
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Support programs and networks that reduce deaths, treat addiction, and prevent first use
Help reduce disparities based on race, location, education and income factors
Invest in integrated heath care with seamless connections to supportive services
Support communities that promote healthy living and resiliency and help mitigate the impact of trauma, isolation and stress on individuals and families, especially those experiencing poverty
Support a well-funded, sustainable, competitive entrepreneur and small business ecosystem throughout the region
Help build a regional economic ecosystem that supports increased creation/retention of jobs and business ownership
Help build a skilled workforce with the knowledge and technical abilities to excel in a wide range of industry employment opportunities that provide a competitive, sustainable wage
Source, analyze and share a comprehensive, county-by-county data set that paints a full picture of work readiness, economic development and entrepreneurial needs and opportunities specific to Western North Carolina
Work in tandem with Economic Opportunity Strategic Priority to invest in career readiness at the community college and university levels
Support K-12 learning experiences with the resources and sustainability to provide an excellent academic and social-emotional education, so that all students graduate ready for college or career
Invest in an improved early childhood education ecosystem with the resources and sustainability to provide developmentally appropriate, affordable and accessible education and care to support ages birth to five, so that all children in WNC enter kindergarten ready to learn
Source, analyze and share a comprehensive set of publicly available data that provides a regularly updated, county-by-county picture of access, workforce and student outcomes in early childhood education and K-12 education specific to Western North Carolina
Loans, guarantees, and other financial tools to leverage funding opportunities
Increase affordable housing for lowest-income individuals and families
Support age-appropriate resources in affordable and workforce units, rental and owned
Invest in housing with sustainable supports for physical and mental health and wellbeing
Support healthy and safe revitalizations that work against displacement and gentrification, preserve home ownership and create generational wealth.