Rick Best Management Resume
27 Willow Street, Newport, RI 02840212-671-0122, rbest@rickbest.org
NOT-FOR-PROFIT CONSULTING
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION (ACLUF), National Office, New York, NY2000-2022, Bill of Rights Trust Manager • Oversaw all communications concerning the endowment and long-term reserve funds of the ACLUF(c3), the ACLU (c4), and the affiliates, among the ACLUF national office staff in development and administration, 40 affiliate foundations across the country, the Endowment Policy Committee, and the custodial fund managers. During this time the funds grew from $40M to $500M. Checked the monthly statements of the 100+ subaccounts for accuracy, reconciled with development and administrative department records, and distributed to appropriate affiliate unit holders, staff, and committee members. Managed the annual distribution of over $12 million and produce an annual report. Staffed the Endowment Policy Committee. MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON’S RESEARCH, New York, NY2010-2011, Interim Controller• Stepped in for absent Controller under a contract with Eight Square Accounting (ESA). Worked with a CPA from ESA as the on-site full time substitute Controller, prepared all material for the annual audit, both US and Canadian, and quarterly board reports for the $50M Michael J. Fox Foundation, as well as the monthly reconciliation of bank accounts, investment accounts, and income and expense accounts, which included a $40M grant program.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT MANAGEMENT
CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, New York, NY1996-2001, Director of Finance and Administration, annual budget $5M
NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD, National Office, New York, NY1992-1995, Executive Director, annual budget $2M
NOT-FOR-PROFIT BOARD EXPERIENCE
2022-Present, Treasurer, Newport Live Music.2012-2016, President, Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation.2008-2012, Treasurer, Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation.2008-2023, Treasurer, Prisoner Legal News, Human Rights Defense Center.1996-2006, Board member, National Lawyers Guild Foundation.
ECO-TOURISM MANAGEMENT
NEWPORT NARRAGANSETT BAY RAILROAD, Melville, RI2021-present, Marine Services DirectorManage two 50-foot tour boats, operate Uninspected Passenger Vessel (6-pack) charters, manage commercial moorings in Weaver Cove.
NEWPORT NARRAGANSETT BAY RAILROAD, Melville, RI2020-2021, Director of OperationsOversee operations on 14 miles of “orphan track” on Aquidneck Island, including a dinner train, a theater car, self-propelled rail diesel cars (RDC), a diner car, and set up a tour and charter boat operation with docks in Melville and East Greenwich.
RAIL EXPLORERS, Melville, RI2017 General ManagerHired and trained staff to operate a new eco-tourism operation on Aquidneck Island. Created a train station in Melville and oversaw the creation of two satellite stations. Converted three years of bookkeeping to QB desktop, coordinated tax filings for federal returns and three states. In the category of Tours in Newport on Trip Advisor, Rail Explorers moved up to number 5 (out of 57) by the end of the summer with 86% five-star and 11% four-star rating. Over 22,000 people paid for rides between April and October.
LEGAL WORK
2004-2015, Sole Practitioner, New York, NYCo-counsel on litigation in eight cases with over 150 plaintiffs arising from 1,800 arrests during the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City which became part of an $18M settlement, went to trial with four plaintiffs who refused settlement resulting in a jury verdict which included punitive damages. 1990-1992, Sole Practitioner, Seattle, WARepresented people charged with a variety of criminal offences in State and Federal Courts.
1987-1990, Seattle/King County Public Defender Association, Staff Attorney, Seattle, WA
PROFESSIONAL LICENCES
State Bar Membership: New York, Washington State Court Admissions: United States Supreme Court, Southern District New York, Western District WashingtonU.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner: Master; 50 Ton Inshore, both Sail and Self-Propelled, Operator; Uninspected Passenger Vessels 100 miles offshore EDUCATION
J.D. 1986, University of Washington, Seattle, WAEditorial Board, Washington Law ReviewComment: Determination of Title to Submerged Lands on Indian Reservations, 61 Wash. L. Rev. 1185 (1986)
B.A. 1976, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
INTERESTS
Cruising and racing sailboats including transatlantic crossings; North American and European history; biking including NYC Centuries; theater and film.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT CONSULTING
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION (ACLUF), National Office, New York, NY2000-2022, Bill of Rights Trust Manager • Oversaw all communications concerning the endowment and long-term reserve funds of the ACLUF(c3), the ACLU (c4), and the affiliates, among the ACLUF national office staff in development and administration, 40 affiliate foundations across the country, the Endowment Policy Committee, and the custodial fund managers. During this time the funds grew from $40M to $500M. Checked the monthly statements of the 100+ subaccounts for accuracy, reconciled with development and administrative department records, and distributed to appropriate affiliate unit holders, staff, and committee members. Managed the annual distribution of over $12 million and produce an annual report. Staffed the Endowment Policy Committee. MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON’S RESEARCH, New York, NY2010-2011, Interim Controller• Stepped in for absent Controller under a contract with Eight Square Accounting (ESA). Worked with a CPA from ESA as the on-site full time substitute Controller, prepared all material for the annual audit, both US and Canadian, and quarterly board reports for the $50M Michael J. Fox Foundation, as well as the monthly reconciliation of bank accounts, investment accounts, and income and expense accounts, which included a $40M grant program.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT MANAGEMENT
CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, New York, NY1996-2001, Director of Finance and Administration, annual budget $5M
NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD, National Office, New York, NY1992-1995, Executive Director, annual budget $2M
NOT-FOR-PROFIT BOARD EXPERIENCE
2022-Present, Treasurer, Newport Live Music.2012-2016, President, Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation.2008-2012, Treasurer, Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation.2008-2023, Treasurer, Prisoner Legal News, Human Rights Defense Center.1996-2006, Board member, National Lawyers Guild Foundation.
ECO-TOURISM MANAGEMENT
NEWPORT NARRAGANSETT BAY RAILROAD, Melville, RI2021-present, Marine Services DirectorManage two 50-foot tour boats, operate Uninspected Passenger Vessel (6-pack) charters, manage commercial moorings in Weaver Cove.
NEWPORT NARRAGANSETT BAY RAILROAD, Melville, RI2020-2021, Director of OperationsOversee operations on 14 miles of “orphan track” on Aquidneck Island, including a dinner train, a theater car, self-propelled rail diesel cars (RDC), a diner car, and set up a tour and charter boat operation with docks in Melville and East Greenwich.
RAIL EXPLORERS, Melville, RI2017 General ManagerHired and trained staff to operate a new eco-tourism operation on Aquidneck Island. Created a train station in Melville and oversaw the creation of two satellite stations. Converted three years of bookkeeping to QB desktop, coordinated tax filings for federal returns and three states. In the category of Tours in Newport on Trip Advisor, Rail Explorers moved up to number 5 (out of 57) by the end of the summer with 86% five-star and 11% four-star rating. Over 22,000 people paid for rides between April and October.
LEGAL WORK
2004-2015, Sole Practitioner, New York, NYCo-counsel on litigation in eight cases with over 150 plaintiffs arising from 1,800 arrests during the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City which became part of an $18M settlement, went to trial with four plaintiffs who refused settlement resulting in a jury verdict which included punitive damages. 1990-1992, Sole Practitioner, Seattle, WARepresented people charged with a variety of criminal offences in State and Federal Courts.
1987-1990, Seattle/King County Public Defender Association, Staff Attorney, Seattle, WA
PROFESSIONAL LICENCES
State Bar Membership: New York, Washington State Court Admissions: United States Supreme Court, Southern District New York, Western District WashingtonU.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner: Master; 50 Ton Inshore, both Sail and Self-Propelled, Operator; Uninspected Passenger Vessels 100 miles offshore EDUCATION
J.D. 1986, University of Washington, Seattle, WAEditorial Board, Washington Law ReviewComment: Determination of Title to Submerged Lands on Indian Reservations, 61 Wash. L. Rev. 1185 (1986)
B.A. 1976, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
INTERESTS
Cruising and racing sailboats including transatlantic crossings; North American and European history; biking including NYC Centuries; theater and film.