Meet Our Board Members: Rick Stern

Meet Our Board Members: Rick Stern

Headshot of Rick Stern

Ambassadors of Mercy; Chairman

Born: Chicago, IL

College and major: University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications

Position: Founder and CEO of Nitel “I oversee the direction and strategy of the business, particularly as it relates to finance, sales, and HR.”

View Rick Stern's profile on LinkedIn

Passions outside of work:
“I’ve been a martial artist for about 35 years – pretty active in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. And I recently started auto-racing, so I’m a beginner driver right now and trying to learn how to drive a race car.”

Favorite travel destination:
“I’m going to go with Moscow. It’s kind of one of those places I never thought I’d be able to travel to – growing up in the cold war, I didn’t figure I’d be in Moscow any time. It was a group trip, so there was a lot of entertainment and dining and unique architecture and just a different place in the word, so it was really a special trip.”

Most influential person growing up:
“When I was a kid, it was probably my grandfather. I lived in his house for a number of years, and he kind of gave me my work ethic and just the basics that a boy needs to learn as a kid.”

Proudest accomplishment:
“Well, easy to say building a business is a personal accomplishment, but probably like most fathers, I would say my pride and joy are my kids.”

Favorite part about Mercy Home’s mission:
“I just think they do really good things for truly deserving people. And as I met a lot of the kids, I feel like they’re really great people who I guess were born into a really unfortunate circumstance. And they really deserve the break; they deserve the help.”

Discover More

Leadership
2 minute read

Eileen Mitchell

Board of Directors Birthplace: Chicago Where did you go to college, and what was your major?Loyola University Chicago for political...

February 9, 2023

Leadership
3 minute read

Sue Bettman

Board of Regents Birthplace: Peoria, Illinois Where did you go to college, and what was your major?Northwestern University for economics...

February 9, 2023

Leadership
2 minute read

Paula McGrath

Board of Regents Birthplace: Chicago Where did you go to college, and what was your major?Valparaiso University for finance Have...

February 9, 2023

Comments