Rick Covert’s entrepreneurial drive emerged as a young college student at Stetson University, when he was struggling to pay tuition. He launched an office cleaning company, and learned first hand the joys – and struggles – of finding customers, hiring staff, and making payroll. His work paid off, covering the cost of his college education. While at Stetson, Covert earned a BS in Finance, and an MBA.

Having experienced the challenge of providing for his own college tuition, he and his wife Allison established a scholarship at Stetson to assist future entrepreneurs who are facing difficulties and need financial assistance. Each year, the scholarship helps several students make ends meet. In this same spirit, Covert serves as a supporter and Board Member of the C5 Youth Foundation of Texas, which engages “high potential youth from risk-filled environments” to help them pursue personal success, and to be active leaders in their communities. He also serves on the Parents Council at Southern Methodist University and Tulane University.

As an entrepreneur, Covert has formed and helped build several ventures from the ground up. This includes founding and growing First Choice Emergency Room (FCER) as its CEO from a small start-up to becoming the nation’s largest network of independent freestanding emergency rooms. Consistently ranked as one of DFW’s fastest-growing companies, FCER grew to more than 450 employees and over $100 million in revenue. After going public in 2014 as Adeptus Health, with Covert as Chairman of the Board, FCER eventually grew to more than 3,500 employees in over 100 locations in five states.

Covert now focuses on identifying new ventures as CEO of Covert Investment Opportunities, which manages a variety of holdings and investment prospects on behalf of his family. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of True Health Diagnostics, and others. He continues to spend considerable time mentoring and investing in upstart entrepreneurs.