Rik Thornton

Rik Thornton currently serves as the Public Safety Manager for the West Chester Area School District since August 2019, collaborating with the Chester County Health Department to oversee COVID-19 testing sites. Prior experience includes leadership roles in military educational institutions, such as Director of Security & Cadet Life at Valley Forge Military Academy & College and Director of Safety, Security & Cadet Life at Missouri Military Academy, where accountability for cadet experiences and welfare was a priority. Earlier, Thornton was Commandant of Cadets at Valley Forge Military Academy & College, managing over 650 cadets and leading significant leadership and training reforms. A distinguished career in the Royal Marines Commando culminated in the role of Warrant Officer, characterized by complex operational leadership and risk management. Thornton's educational background includes degrees in Military Training & Science and Human Resource Management, among others.