Rick W. Mills began his service to MPS in July 2011 as Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Mr. Mills is responsible for the leadership and management of the internal functions of the district. He is a leader and a change agent who creates a culture of high expectations and conditions that result in dramatic improved school performance, accelerated student achievement, closing of the achievement gap, and overall improved organizational performance at all levels.

Mr. Mills comes to Minneapolis from Chicago Public Schools (CPS), where he most recently served as chief area officer/area superintendent of 26 high schools for the past two years. During this time, he established the highest performing high school area in CPS.  His prior employment was in the CPS military area office of military schools and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) as area officer from July 2005 to August 2009 and as the director of military schools and JROTC from July 2001 to October 2005. During his past ten years at CPS, Mr. Mills led successful school programs which students demonstrated measurable achievement results.

Prior to joining CPS, Mr. Mills served the U.S. Army in numerous capacities, including squadron commander, international program director, political-military advisor to the Commander-in-Chief, executive officer of a tank battalion and logistics officer for an infantry brigade. He also served as deputy chief of plans and policy for the United Nations in Jerusalem and as assistant professor at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Mr. Mills holds a Master of Arts degree in business from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Master of Arts Degree in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.