Rick is a General Partner at the global venture capital firm NEA, where he joined in 2007. He is the head of the firm’s consumer team. His focus is on fintech and consumer investments. Growing up as a self-identified nerdy gamer and competitive swimmer, he also has a particular interest in gaming and esports.

Rick partners closely with founders, building a collaborative and trusted relationship at the earliest stages of a company. Some of his current investments include Bestow, Gen.G, Genies, MasterClass, Omio, Opendoor (NASDAQ:OPEN), Plaid, PlayVS, Robinhood, and Theorycraft Games. Historically, he was involved with Braintree (acquired by PayPal), Gaikai (acquired by Sony), and Pure Energies (acquired by NRG). He sits on the investment committee and helped lead the creation of Connect Ventures, an investment partnership between NEA and Creative Artists Agency focused on the intersection of culture, commerce, technology, and media.

Rick serves on the Board of Stanford Athletic Department’s DAPER investment fund and is an All Raise VC Champion. He was also named to the Fortune 40 under 40 in 2020.

Prior to joining NEA, Rick worked at Credit Suisse, where he advised on and executed a number of strategic financing initiatives for leading public and private tech companies as part of the Technology Group. Rick earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University, where he was also a varsity swimmer.

While he misses his native Texas, Rick has settled down in California’s Bay Area with his wife Erin and their three boys.