Rich joined AMU in July 2005 serving as an Education Coordinator in charge of student recruitment in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico, with additional coverage in Kansas and Montana.

Rich started professionally as the Director of Admissions for Saint Martin's College in Lacey, WA, and then spent more than 30 years as a civilian Air Force educator. He retired in 2003 as the Director of Education and Military Training for Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, CO.

Rich was commissioned through Army ROTC and spent two years on active duty. He had toured as a combat platoon leader (Infantry and Armored Cavalry) with the 25th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam from 1969-70.