Rick Stephens retired March 2013 from The Boeing Company as senior vice president, Human Resources and Administration reporting to the Chairman. Stephens, during a 33-year career at Boeing, led a number of business areas at sites across the U.S. and around the world including Homeland Security and Services, Space Shuttle, Tactical Combat Systems and Internal Services. He worked in finance, engineering, program management and general management.

Stephens received his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1974 from the University of Southern California, where he was the Boeing executive focal, and his Master of Science degree in computer science in 1984 from California State University, Fullerton. He is a former Marine Corps officer. Stephens is an enrolled member of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and served as tribal chairman from 1988 to 1989.

Rick and his wife Elane (a native of Brewster County), between them, have 6 children and 9 grandchildren and well understand the important role that parents and community members have in setting expectations of personal accountability and values from the time children are born until they enter the workforce. Today they work together as partners in a not-for-profit organization called Birth2Work.