A Warm Welcome From Surgibox

Rick Starrs joined the National Association of Veterans’ Research and Education Foundations (NAVREF) as Chief Executive Officer in January 2016 after concluding his US Army career as a Colonel.  NAVREF is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization of research and education foundations affiliated with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. These nonprofits are authorized by Congress to provide flexible funding mechanisms for the conduct of research and education at VA facilities nationwide.  Rick shares NAVREF’s vision of a nation in which veterans receive the finest care based on innovative research and education. 

Prior to joining NAVREF, Rick enjoyed more than 25 years of leadership experience in the military health system ranging from leading troops in combat to working on Capitol Hill to overseeing the day-to-day operations of a multi-billion-dollar military medical research, acquisition, and logistics enterprise.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.  In 2016, Rick earned a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University’s Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership.  Rick is passionate about serving his country and enhancing the lives of veterans.