Rick Ferris has been instrumental to the breadth and renown of Fraser, the largest provider of autism, mental health, and disability services in Minnesota, on whose board he has served for nearly 45 years. When Ferris’ daughter was born with Down syndrome in 1977, he noticed a lack of community resources, which prompted his return to Minneapolis to access Fraser’s programs. Today, he is board chair for the Richfield-based organization. Some of his most impactful accomplishments for Fraser include establishing its work-study program, championing its Whitbeck Nursery School (which integrates children with and without disabilities), and helping develop Fraser’s first independent-living apartment complex. Before he retired, Ferris was executive vice president of U.S. corporate banking at Norwest/Wells Fargo.