About Sam Rikard

• Born March 11, 1954


• Raised right here in Olive Branch, Mississippi


• Member of First Baptist Church of OB where he serves as a trustee and sunday school teacher


• Married 36 years to Paula, they have two sons, Stephen and Michael, two granddaughters and one grandson


• Employed 25 years by Bell South in Memphis


• Served as a volunteer fireman 20 years, was Chief of Fairhaven Volunteer Fire Department 6 years, and a volunteer EMT with Olive Branch ambulance service 1986-1989

Sam's Accomplishments

• New City Hall constructed and opened in February of 2005.


• George Harrison Municipal Park opened in September of 2004


• Magnolia Community Park and the Southridge Community Park


• Created a practice area for soccer and baseball on the old Jaycee Park land


• Established the OB Old Towne Ass. in 1997 and joined the MS Mainstreet Ass.


• American Hometown Hero Award recipient in 1999


• Governors Initiative for Volunteer Excellence Award , 2001


• President of the Friends of Olive Branch


• Board of Director of the Mississippi Municipal League


• Member of the Desoto County Council of Governments


• Past Chairman of the Desoto County Republican Party


• Assisted in bringing the YMCA to Olive Branch


• New Police Station Constructed


• New Court Constructed