Since an early age, Brian Rick has always been interested in the trades and the Career Technical Education (CTE) field. He has worked in several high schools as well as local community colleges in both teaching and CTE administrator roles. Brian originally worked in the architecture and construction industry before coaching high school students which allowed him to find his passion and enter the education field. Brian is currently working for the CTE Projects Team at Northern Illinois University which develops new trainings, resources, and materials for CTE Teachers across the state in collaboration with the Illinois State Board of Education. Brian is passionate about helping new teachers coming from industry to education as well as work-based learning. Brian was also an Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) NextLevel leadership fellow (Cohort 3). When he is not working, he enjoys spending time traveling and at home with his wife and two kids who are five and eight years old.