Rich is the Director of the Office of Environmental Policy for the University of Connecticut (UConn). He is responsible for developing policies and guidelines for protecting natural resources, reducing the University’s ecological footprint, and ensuring accountability for “green” building and low-impact development in UConn’s ongoing capital improvement program. He coordinates environmental sustainability 
initiatives on issues ranging from climate change to recycling and water conservation, and works with faculty, staff and students to enhance UConn’s environmental literacy and awareness through academic programs and educational outreach activities.
Rich also oversees UConn’s compliance with environmental regulations, with emphasis on air pollution control, water quality and remediation issues, as well as construction-related permits and environmental impact evaluations. His office works closely with operational staff on UConn’s water supply system planning and natural resource conservation issues associated with University-owned open space and farmland.
Rich has been a practicing environmental and land use attorney, an environmental and energy lobbyist for a statewide association, an adjunct professor of environmental law, and a corporate environmental manager at a Fortune 500 company. He has served on numerous legislative and regulatory advisory committees, including five years as a member of the Connecticut Council on Environmental Quality. He is a long-time member and current chair of the Simsbury Inland Wetlands & Conservation Commission.
He received his B.A. from Penn State University and J.D. from Stetson University College of Law.
