Rick Mello has 30 years of experience in collegiate athletics and joined Rice University as Senior Executive Athletic Director in June 2010. He served as the interim athletics director from July to September of 2013 and assumed the role of Deputy Athletics Director in July 2014. As the deputy AD, Mello oversaw facilities, sports medicine, athletic training, and equipment and was the administrative liaison to football, men's basketball, and baseball.

Rick brings a wealth of knowledge to the Operations, Finance, & Support team as Interim Associate Vice President for Campus Services and Sustainability, and he is known in the Rice community through his invaluable contributions to Athletics, where he has fostered strong campus partnerships. His work demonstrates his commitment to excellence, which aligns with the OF&S pillars, making him an exceptional colleague. 

Mello graduated cum laude in journalism from Utah State University in 1980, where he served as assistant sports information director for two years.