Rick Torrey of Killington, also known as Richard Torrey, is the retired owner and CEO of Basin Sports, Out Of Bounds Snowboard Shop, and True Wheels Bike Shop. His passion for skiing and mountain biking led him to establish these businesses, which became well-known in their respective industries. Over the years, he built each venture into a successful business, gaining recognition and respect from customers and outdoor sports community peers. Before transitioning into entrepreneurship, he started his career in the mid-1970s as a programmer at an insurance company. Although he had strong programming abilities, he mostly worked in technical support. He was instrumental in creating more efficient ways to access computer systems, contributing to advancements that even leading companies at the time struggled to implement. Despite his success in the tech world, he eventually pursued his passion for the outdoors and business, shifting his focus away from programming. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and later moved to Ludlow with his family. From a young age, he took on various jobs such as mowing lawns, babysitting, painting houses, and delivering newspapers, working hard to help support his family. These early experiences helped him develop a strong work ethic and understand the value of saving as his family faced financial hardships. After high school, he worked full-time while taking classes to further his education. He studied computer processing at a technical school and attended local college night classes. During this time, he worked at Pratt and Whitney and coached Little League hockey, leading the team to regional victories. His career in technical fields continued to develop, but his aspirations began to lean toward entrepreneurship. In 1975, he purchased his first home in Windsor, Connecticut, and transitioned to a programming position at an insurance company. A few years later, in 1986, after buying a second home, he began planning for a new career path. He loaned money to a friend to buy a ski shop, which unfortunately went out of business in 1991. He then purchased the shop from the bank and took over its operations. With no experience in retail, he committed to learning the industry and transforming the struggling business into a successful venture. Over the next 32 years, the shop became a local leader, recognized for its excellence. Encouraged by the success of the ski shop, he expanded into other outdoor sports. In 1996, he opened a snowboard shop and later a bike shop. His daughter joined the business that same year, and his wife, who had assisted part-time, became the full-time CFO in 2010. Throughout his time in business, he managed multiple construction projects, expanding the stores from 1,000 square feet to 24,500 square feet, solidifying his presence in the industry. Rick Torrey sold his business in August 2022 after building it into a prominent retail operation. Now retired, he enjoys skiing in the winter, mountain biking in the summer, and traveling. He reflects on a successful career marked by hard work, determination, and a commitment to his passions.