Rich Durkee grew up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin where he learned the importance of safety at an early age. The knowledge he gained from working on the family farm carried over to his college job. He worked as a heavy equipment operator where he performed golf course construction in Kohler, Wis. During that time, he learned that safety never takes a vacation. The valuable lessons learned while working in construction and with heavy equipment allow him to relate real-life experiences to his clients.

After college, Rich managed the safety and health compliance for a Fortune 500 company with locations in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Missouri, and Mexico. The facilities encompassed machining, fabrication, punch press, foundries, and assembly operations. He has worked in the risk management field for more than 24 years, consulting with clients on their safety and risk management programs.

He holds certifications in Workers’ Compensation, Behavioral Aspects of Safety, Machine Guarding, and Ergonomics. He also has expertise in safety leadership and supervisor training.

Rich graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, one of the highest-ranking risk management schools in the nation. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in occupational safety and health.

In his free time, Rich enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, being outdoors, hiking, kayaking, and golfing. He resides in Baraboo, Wisconsin.