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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.