After graduating from NCSU School of Design in 1987, Rick worked in the Washington, DC office of Hellmuth, Obata, and Kassabaum (HOK), a 160-employee firm doing projects worldwide. After working on several federal projects at HOK, Rich was chosen to be on the staff architects on the New National Archives Building in College Park, Maryland. In 1991, upon relocation to North Carolina, he began practicing as project Architect for Isley Architects of Durham, doing various medical renovation projects at Duke University Medical Center. Among projects completed while there was an 11,000 SF, 2-story addition to the top floor of Duke Hospital, housing a $2 Million Pediatric Catherization Lab. For the past six years, Rick had his own practice in Durham and completed many single-family residential projects, both renovation and new construction, as well as offices, restaurants, and medical clinics ranging from 3,500 SF to 11, 000 SF.

In January of 2002, Rick moved to Wilmington to partner with his long time friend Clark Hipp. With the addition of Rick as partner the 11 year old firm of J. Clark HIPP Architect PC was renamed HIPP + BEST Architects, PC. Rick acts as Chief Designer and Project Manager for various projects. He also manages design and production of construction documents for all projects.