Before joining the Faculty of Lewis University's College of Arts and Sciences, he served as Secretary of Education in the Diocese of Joliet, from 1989 through 2001, working primarily in the area of leadership formation. Rich has served on the Adjunct Faculty of a number of universities across the nation addressing leadership in public service organizations. He has consulted with groups throughout the Midwest focusing on leadership formation. His research focuses on the constructing pathways to positive organizational emotion, and he continues qualitative research focused on emerging issues in leadership.