Rick Ecklund was born in New York City and grew up on Long Island. Please note, this is the most southern
part of New York State. He attended the Community Methodist Church (in 1968 it became East Meadow United
Methodist Church) and was confirmed in that church.

Pastor Rick is a graduate of Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY with a BA in political science. He takes great
delight whenever Hofstra defeats Liberty whenever they compete. He met his wife, Liz, at East Meadow UMC
and they dated throughout high school and college. They were married in March 1971.

The Ecklund’s have 2 children, Christopher and Erin. Chris has recently moved from Rustburg to Lynchburg
and is a manager for Blockbuster Video. Erin is a program coordinator for the YMCA & also lives in Lynchburg
with their granddaughter. Liz's parents retired to Madison Heights from NY and are members of Monroe UMC.

Pastor Rick began a career in business that would last almost 20 years working primarily in the uniform/linen
rental/industrial laundry industry. He rose to the position of general manager with a nationwide company and
has lived in NY, New Hampshire, Alabama, Florida, Maryland, and VA.

He entered the UM ministry in 1990 and his home church in VA is Christ UMC in Staunton. He received his
M/Div degree from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg and has served churches in Floyd County,
Nelson County, Staunton, and King George.

Pastor Liz returned to college in 1992, graduated from Western Virginia Community College and then
graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College. She is obviously the smart one since she graduated Phi
Beta Kappa. She also entered the ministry and also graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Pastor Liz
has served churches in Fluvanna Co., Amherst Co., Waynesboro, and King George.

Pastor Rick has always been active in many outside activities. He has served on the Planning Board of the City
of Staunton, an officer in the King George Ministerial Fellowship, past member of the Rotary, Ruritan, and
Optimists Clubs. He was even the president of the Lynchburg Hillcats baseball booster club while at Nelson
UMC. He is an avid baseball fan and a lifetime fan of the NY Yankees. He is a trustee of the VA Conference
Historical Society and the new chair of the Lynchburg District Committee on Ordained Ministry.

Both he and Liz are very thrilled to be in Lynchburg!