Rick Stephens is an author, entrepreneur, and business leader who is passionate and purposeful about making faith in God the central part of his business and career. His book, In Plane Sight, is an outworking of his commitment to demonstrate excellence and faith in God in all areas of life—combined with his desire to teach leaders to become even better leaders.

 

Rick is the founder of Horizon Hobby Inc., a hobby distribution business that, over the course of 28 years, became a world leader in the design and development of hobby products, including radio control airplanes, helicopters, cars, model railroad equipment, and general hobby items. Horizon grew to exceed $330 million in revenues with over 700 people and facilities in Illinois, California, London, Hamburg, and Shanghai. In 2006, Horizon became 100 percent employee-owned and, in 2014, sold to private equity on behalf of the employees.  
 

Rick has served on numerous boards, including the Radio Control Hobby Trade Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young President’s Organization, Carle Hospital Foundation, University of Illinois Foundation, University of Illinois Research Park, Stephens Family YMCA, Pinnacle Forum, and Lead Like Jesus. 
 

Since he ended his career with Horizon, Rick, along with his wife Jeanene, have established Investres, LLC , with the purpose of investing their time and resources in three areas: people, projects, and possibilities. This has led to the Stephens Family YMCA, a Guest House for an orphanage in Haiti, co-chairing Vision 2020 (a $35 million campaign to improve healthcare via the first-ever engineering-based medical school), the Carle/Illinois College of Medicine, and active personal investments.

 

Rick and Jeanene have been married 49 years and treasure time with their three daughters, three sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren.  They enjoy leading forum groups for personal and spiritual growth and mentoring leaders, as well as travel, golf, hiking, and snowboarding.