The 21^st century leader faces a set of unprecedented challenges. Rapid change is the new normal and leaders with a keen ability to adapt are in high demand. Rick Lynch has lived his life by adapting to rapidly changing scenarios – overcoming obstacles not only big and small, but life or death.  From surmounting his parents’ inability to pay for college to leading “The Surge” in Iraq with only six weeks to prepare; from reinvigorating a bloated Army organization of 120,000 employees (via billion dollar budget cuts) to lowering divorce and suicide rates at Fort Hood by outlawing weekend work and mandating soldier family time; from training in the robotics labs of MIT to rebuilding economies in a foreign nation and speaking to national news media in the middle of a war, Rick Lynch has faced more than most leaders will in a lifetime – which is why his lessons on how to adapt will inspire and provide unprecedented clarity to leaders from all walks of life.

General Lynch will speak about adaptive leadership, faith, and family.  His book, Adapt or Die: Leadership Principles from an American General,  provides clarity to leaders from all walks of life. In it, he offers insight borne from overcoming adversity on both the battlefield and the boardroom.  With refreshing directness, he share how to gain the confidence needed to lead in our ever-changing world.

General Lynch attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1977.  He was commissioned as a regular Army Engineer Officer.  As an Engineer, he commanded both a Mobile Assault Bridge Company and a Combat Engineer Company in the 2^nd Armored Division.

He branched transferred to Armor and subsequently commanded both a tank battalion (1^st Battalion, 8^thCavalry, 1^st Cavalry Division) and a tank brigade (1^stBrigade, 4^th Infantry Division).

General Lynch was promoted to Brigadier General in 2001.  As General Officer, he served as the Assistant Division Commander, 4^th Infantry Division, Chief of Staff, Kosovo Forces, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations for Joint Force Command Naples, Italy.  He served in Iraq as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Effects and the spokesman for Multinational Forces Iraq from 2005-2006,

He commanded the 3^rd Infantry Division from 2006-2008.  During that time he deployed the Division to Iraq as part of the Surge, and commanded Task Force Marne in Iraq for 15 months.  After redeployment, he was selected to command III Corps and Fort Hood, TX.

General Lynch’s last position in the Army was as the Commanding General, Installation Management Command and the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management.   He was responsible for 163 Army Installations world wide with an annual budget of $12 billion and a workforce of 120,000.

After retirement, General Lynch became the Executive Director of the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute, a multi-million dollar facility focused on advanced technology to help humanity and finding affordable solutions to complex problems.

General Lynch is also the CEO of his own company, RLynch Enterprises.  He consults, makes presentations, and recently published a book on adaptive leadership entitled Adapt or Die: Leadership Principles from an American General.  He and his wife Sarah reside in Southlake, Texas.