Rick Walther, President

Co-Founder, MS. Ed, LMHC

Rick Walther. Why am I a Stand Up Guy? From a philosophical perspective, it’s because I have always, like you I suspect, strived to be a good person in all aspects of my life. My faith and my upbringing tell me to treat all people with dignity and respect. More specifically, I am involved in Stand Up Guys because I was introduced to this group’s purpose by my friend Annie Lane , a survivor of domestic violence and a tenacious member of this organization. Her story coupled with my inherent obligation to raise my two young sons to be good people pushed me to find out more about SUG’s mission. It all made sense to me. We can build more shelters for women and children to escape domestic violence, but why not target the root cause, the violent man and more broadly, the widely excepted practices by our society that degrade women in big and little ways. I truly believe this undertaking is worthy of our most earnest efforts. Like the rest of the people involved in Stand Up Guys, I believe most men are good and well intentioned. The more this fact is known, the less likely men will feel comfortable degrading and abusing women. Isn’t that what we want for our mothers, sisters and friends? I am a father of two boys, a husband to Betsy, and work in the telecommunications industry at PAETEC Communications. I enjoy not only coaching my boys in soccer but also to be strong men. I love to take hikes with my family, play soccer and I’m a NYS licensed home inspector.