Rick Lynch

Rick Lynch was born in Hamilton, Ohio in 1955, a son of Calvin Lynch and Dorothy "Dodi" Lynch. He was raised and educated in Hamilton, and is a 1973 graduate of Hamilton's Taft High School (now Hamilton High School). In 1973, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy by US Representative Walter E. Powell. During his college career Lynch attained the rank of cadet captain and regimental commander. He was on the dean's list, was at the head of his Russian language class, was a member of the freshman volleyball club, and played intra-mural handball, soccer, and flickerball. • Engineer Officer Basic Course • Armor Officer Advanced Course ==Military career==

Lynch's early assignments included command of a combat engineer company and a mobile assault bridge company in the 17th Engineer Battalion. After transferring to the Armor branch, he served as executive officer of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment during Operation Desert Storm. Lynch later commanded 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment and 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Assignments after attaining general officer rank in 2001 included: assistant division commander, 4th Infantry Division; chief of staff, Kosovo Force; and deputy chief of staff for operations, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. During the Iraq War, he served as deputy chief of staff for strategic effects and press spokesman for Multi-National Force – Iraq. Lynch commanded the 3rd Infantry Division from 2006 to 2008, including deployment to Iraq during the Iraq War troop surge of 2007. After returning to the United States, he was assigned to command III Armored Corps. His final assignment prior to retiring in 2012 was commander of the United States Army Installation Management Command and the army's assistant chief of staff for Installation Management. ==Later career==

Lynch's post-military career included work as executive director of the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), where he was responsible for developing partnerships between the faculty and staff, industry, and government. He also authored several books, including: • ''We're Not Robots: How Leading with Humanity Creates High-Performing Organizations'' • Adapt or Die: Leadership Principles from an American General • Work Hard, Pray Hard: The Power of Faith in Action. In addition, Lynch formed R Lynch Enterprises, which provides speaking services and consulting on topics including strategic planning and leadership. ==Awards==

Lynch's major awards include: • Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster • Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster • Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster • Soldier's Medal • Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster • Defense Meritorious Service Medal • Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters • Joint Service Commendation Medal • Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters • Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster • Parachutist Badge • Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge In 2023, Lynch was the commencement speaker at Clarkson University and was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering. ==References==