Sponsor a rabbit Each sponsorship helps care
for one of the animals at the
sanctuary.
Richard Crook, Rapid Response Manager
As the rapid response manager for Best Friends, Richard is responsible for developing and managing field projects and activities related to rapid response; coordinating and tracking staff training for field projects; and facilitating communication and interactions among the rapid-response team members.
Richard spent nearly seven months in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina facilitating a large rescue operation out of a Winn Dixie parking lot. During that experience, he met some of the Best Friends staff.
Richard's background is in business management and the fire service. He retired from the fire service a few years ago as a lieutenant. He is trained in many areas of emergency management, such as incident command systems, disaster preparedness, and urban search and rescue. Most recently, he obtained a nursing-home administrator license from Michigan State University and subsequently worked as an environmental services director for a long-term-care facility, where he loved working with the elderly. Richard has also owned and operated several businesses, including a 20-unit resort in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Richard grew up in southeastern Michigan. His family includes his lovely wife, Pam, two daughters, Valerie and Alicia, and two beautiful granddaughters, Makenzie and Kylie. He has four dogs - Bubba, Baby, Boots and Emma - and a cat named Charlie. He enjoys music and has played the drums for 25 years. His other hobby is flying; he obtained his pilot's license in 1996 and flies every chance he gets.
