What does it take to be recognized for a lifetime achievement award? For Rick King, it begins with dedicating 40 plus years to teaching, leading others and fighting for equal representation within the technology sector.

Going from a teacher, coach and administrator in Vermont to a Vice President and CIO at Ceridian Employer Services, King eventually found a home at Thomson Reuters in the year 2000 where he’s since held multiple executive positions throughout various departments.

Outside of work, King has dedicated his time serving as a board member, a trustee and a chairperson for the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minnesota Public Radio, the Greater MSP Partnership and the Metropolitan Airports Commission, all organizations dedicated to preserving and improving the Twin Cities’ cultural and communal keystones.

In the past 13 years, he’s received multiple awards for his executive leadership and has been appointed to technology and legislative councils by three Minnesota Governors, Walz, Dayton and Pawlenty.

Some of his greatest contributions, however, can be found in the initiatives he implemented to increase the roles and responsibilities for women in technology.

“Rick is a visionary leader who has launched many successful programs at Thomson Reuters (TR), such as Leadhership1 and the Gender Partnership to address the ‘broken rung’ problem,” said Rakhi Purohit, Director of Technology at Thomson Reuters and a MnTech board member, “His passion and commitment to developing and growing diverse tech talent has made him an inspiration to many at TR and the broader MN tech community. I admire his ability to connect with everyone and am grateful for his mentorship.”

“Rick has led the way as a true technology innovator on many fronts,” agreed Paul Fischer, the Interim President of Legal Professionals at Thomson Reuters, “but nowhere more notably than in his persistent drive and focus to create a more diverse and inclusive tech community here at Thomson Reuters and across the Twin Cities.”

For these reasons and more, the Minnesota Technology Association is pleased to name Rick King as one of two outstanding technology leaders that have been chosen to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

We hope you’ll join us on November 18 for the live, virtual Award Gala where we’ll honor the Lifetime Achievement winners along with their fellow Minnesota innovators to be recognized at this year’s Tekne Awards.