About Rich AMen Gill

Rich Gill chose to enlist in the United States Air Force. His assignments allowed him to travel to Spain, Germany, Washington, Hawaii, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and New Mexico. During his time in service he worked in many occupations to include:

 Construction  (Estimating materials man hours, and completion of work), 

Security (Protecting Base Assets) 

Federal Contract Evaluator (Oversaw Contractors to ensure compliance) Building Maintenance Management (Oversaw crews and workloads of over 50 buildings)

Manager, Packing and Crating Office (Oversaw the shipping of military assets to locations world wide)

To move to a foreign country for 3 years. Away from all connections is a very unique experience. I learned that in order to gain from my time I had to respect the culture, customs, and people.  I was only a guest and with this mentality, I was able to learn so much about where I was living. To walk the streets where Kings and Queens of Old was an education itself.

For 5 Years at Fairchild AFB in Washington State, Rich Gill was tasked to work as Evaluator with Federal Contracts worth over $10 Million Dollars. Rich  monitored contractors for compliance to the standards set in the contracts. He also worked with Contract Managers to make modifications to contracts as well as identify ways to minimize costs and reduce excess spending. 

In June of 1994, it was in my life some of the hardest days that I had to endure. There were some personal issues I will not discuss but to add to this was the week of 20 - 24 when Fairchild AFB had a shooter bent on revenge who killed The Doctors he felt were responsible for getting him kicked out of the AirForce along with 2 other people before being gunned down himself. Now that I had met with both of his Primary Targets before their demise, I understood Dean's anger and frustration.  After talking with both men on issues I too felt betrayed by how they used my words to try and attack me rather than understand my position. It was documented that Melberg needed help but had it been different we would not have lost those that did pass and yet we still were pressed to put on a show. 

To be honest, we should have canceled the Air Event that was to happen the following weekend. Why our wing commander felt this would help us I do not know. The B52 that was to be part of the day's schedule only had a 4 man crew when it was supposed to have 5. No one wanted to fly with the pilot who knew this was pretty much his last flight and even one was aware that he was ready to push the plane. One of the commanders that took the seat of another was ready to retire in a few days. I was setting up a platform that would be used for the Show. He stopped to see me as I had worked on a few projects he knew of. He joked about what he was going to do when he got out. He was not happy going up with the pilot but he thought he could control him during his stunts. That did not prove to be the case as the Plane crashed with no survivors... I was transferred to Hawaii the next month...

#Lt Col Arthur A. "Bud" Holland, pilot,
#Lt Col Mark C. McGeehan, copilot,
#Col Robert E. Wolff, observer,
#Lt Col Kenneth "Ken" Huston, operations officer.  

Deploying to a different country can be a very unique challenge. When I landed in Saudi Arabia I never knew how this place so differed from the ideas of the US. Still, we are trained to understand the Culture Where Religion takes such residence.  During my time, I began working 7 days a week just to get a chance to support another team that had access to other aspects of this country and how we were able to work with them when it came to acquisitions....

Like Saudi Arabia, I needed to keep myself occupied. It was tradition to paint a wall or barrier to let other teams know what groups had been there. Many of the past projects showed concepts of war and destruction.  I wanted to leave a mural of peace and reflection.  I painted most evenings trying to put paint on the wall before the liquid hardened which was a task by itself as it still was over 100 degrees under a full moon. I do not know if this creation is still in existence but I know I will not forget...

 Rich Gill had the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the Surf Contest Industry to include, Bernie Baker (Pictured), Randy Rarick and more to  create a program that has not been duplicated...

 Rich Gill took on the challenge of working on numerous Surf Contests to Include:
Triple Crown of Surf
Hawaii Military Surfing Ohana

Jonathan Brookfield Surf 4 Life
Makai Surfing Events

and More...

Not many surfers can say they added their own touch to make that board personal. During the years of the USMSI, I had the honor of putting my own "Handprint" on some of the boards we gave away.  I also added my designs to my own boards to reduce any chance of theft.

During his other Ventures, Rich Gill had the opportunity to talk to a few known people about the USMSI Including Chuck the ICEMAN Liddell...

It was great to meet an artist you genuinely admire for their creative designs. Michael's innovative use of various fruits, glasses, and others additions always keeps the viewer engaged in his pieces...

It's one feeling to fly in a plane, it's another to lift off in a Hot Air Balloon. When you live in a state known for Hot Air Festivals eventually you want to try and see what it feels like to soar into the skies under a colorful designed fabric of hot air floating with the wind. Okay maybe a few may not but my son (pictures I took) will never forget the sites of the morning ride...

When not working on productions in Background Casting. Rich Gill was also given the chance to work as Locations for incoming productions at White Sands National Monument. Again Rich gave local residents opportunities in Below the Line jobs to fill spots that might normally go to outside personnel

During my time at L.A. Film School, I was able to support causes that I felt needed support to gain notoriety and grow in a united and necessary progressive way of thinking. The Women in Media grew into a force that Supports Ladies in Film and Television Productions in Equal Placement of Skilled Workers in both Above and Below Leardship Roles.

In 2019, Rich Gill begins Filming the City Council meetings to better understand what is going on in the local community. At no cost to residents, he offers the videos to those interested to keep transparency and inform others that cannot attend meetings. After numerous sessions, Rich Gill decides to submit for a seat on the City Council... 

You can learn from anything you become engaged with. After getting the J & J Vaccine I understood you can still get covid and pending on which Vaccine could be felt a little worse than thought.  I stayed in the ICU for more than a week but kept pushing to feel better and after my time in the hospital, I could walk out on my own. I still have some long-term effects and am trying to get that out of my system.

In 2019, when I went to my first City Council Meeting I saw how the Council Members could never be held accountable unless their actions were filmed. The residents had asked the Council for this and yet it was not a priority.... until I came with my equipment and began filming the meetings. Then all of sudden it became an important factor.  Within 3 months the Video system was up but still, but it was controlled by the city. My video is not controlled and rolls until the gavel hits the table closing the session.  Being a Video Historian may be important for future residents.