Rick Taggart, moved to Grand Junction in the early 80’s to lead and manage Marmot Mountain Works, as its CEO, chairman and co-owner. After selling the business he went on to lead the international business unit of The Timberland Company. He was the CEO of Swiss Army Brands for 15 years.

Since the summer of 2010  he has been a professor at Colorado Mesa University  in the Business Department. He has and continues to teach courses in business and mentors students from organizational behavior to international business and marketing. Taggart engages with his students by way of blending practical experience with business and strategy principles.

Taggart an integral part of the Grand Valley community, he has served as mayor of Grand Junction as well as on numerous community boards, Taggart is an avid skier, cyclist and runner.  In 2021 the Colorado and Utah cyclist long-distance race.