Richard H. "Rick" Norris ’ is a former Palmdale City Councilman, with recognized expertise in business, international trade, transportation, and housing development issues. Norris was elected in a special election on November 7, 2000, to complete three years of an unexpired Councilmember term.

  Rick Norris currently serves as Chairman of Renewable Resources, Inc specializing in the Import/Export sourcing and International trade with an emphasis in developing new alternative energy products including solar and wind products. Norris Distribution division is a direct source import/export company. , with international trading offices located in China , U.S. and Dubai , UAE. The distribution company currently imports and develops new solar material and is developing solar lighting for commercial and industrial applications.

Additionally, Rick also serves as Chairman/CEO of Ready2Protect, LLC and Inc, the company specializes in manufacturing/distributing anti-fraud, identity theft devices that detect counterfeit currency, counterfeit credit cards, and identification cards. Ready2Protect is also working with worldwide law enforcement, along with military personnel. Currently this division is expanding into personal security equipment, including new individual lightweight body armor protection for law enforcement and military soldier protection

From May 1988 to January 1993, Norris served as the Executive Director of the Antelope Valley Building Industry Association. During his first two years, Norris increased the AVBIA’s annual operations budget from $25,000 to over $750,000, and increased its membership from 40 member companies to over 440. He has used his civic leadership positions to work for the improvement of the Antelope Valley by initiating, researching, and spearheading efforts to establish a successful Foreign Trade Zone (#191), and is now utilizing Renewable Resources, Inc., to bring new jobs and businesses for future generations of the region. Rick volunteered service as the president of the Greater Antelope Valley Economic Development Corporation from 1993-1998, and has served on both the Southern California Association of Governments Transportation Advisory Committee (SCAG), and 2 years on the Lancaster Planning Committee for the General Plan Update. He served as the League of Cities representative to the State Housing Economic Development Committee.

Prior to coming to the Antelope Valley , Norris left his native Southern California and spent six years in Houston , Texas . He served as the President of ROCK ON INTERNATIONAL, INC., a chain of retail record stores. He was hired to reorganize, troubleshoot and serve as the interim President of the PICK QUICK MINI-MARKET, a chain of fourteen convenience stores.

Norris represented the Palmdale City Council as the voting delegate for the Airport Advisory Board of Directors and the Antelope Valley Transit Authority.  He serves as Vice Chairman for the Antelope Valley Anti-Crime Task Force, is an alternate delegate for the North County Transportation Coalition, and the League of California Cities Desert Mountain Division.

Appointed in 2001 by L.A. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich as the voting Los Angeles County delegate to the State of California-San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee , Norris was elected Chairman after two years of service, serving with eleven county supervisors to establish, maintain, and expand passenger rail service through the Central & Southern Valleys of California.

In his charitable endeavors, Norris was the president of the first chapter of A Child's Wish Come True in Texas , established the organization as a National organization in 11 States. Over the years he has remained active in the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and other child charities including AV Boys & Girls Club as president and co-founder, Desert Haven, Children's Center of the Antelope Valley , and Palmdale Little League. He has maintained his strong support of scouting, also serving as District Chairman. Both his two sons are Eagle Scouts and are becoming Marine Corps pilots. Rick has volunteered on numerous community boards, including serving as director of the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce; as president of the Palmdale Regional Airport Advisory Council; as vice-chairman of the Edwards Historical Flight Test Foundation. Norris also currently serves as the Chairman of the Lancaster Community Hospital Governing Board and soon to be finished Palmdale Regional Hospital ..

He is recognized in the Who’s Who of Association Management, and the Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals.

Norris served in the United States Marine Corps for four years and served one tour of duty in Vietnam , as a helicopter gunner.  He received a BA degree from California State University , Fullerton and holds a Juris Doctorate (JD) Law degree from Western State University of Law.

A proud father, a average golfer; good scuba diver, tournament level tennis player, skier, and private pilot, He also volunteers as a Captain in the L.A.P.D. Emergency Air Response Unit (EARU) and served as a Eucharistic Minister in his Church. Norris is a strong supporter of youth sports including soccer, Little League, and High School Football. Rick and his wife Gayle have lived in Palmdale since 1988.