Rick Timmons, a native of Greenville, graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1974 and completed his masters at the University of Chicago in 1976. He left IBM Corporation after two years and joined the family business, Canal Insurance Company, and he is a member of the third generation to manage the business. He has risen through the ranks to the position of Senior Vice President for Investments. Rick also serves in the management of several family owned enterprises that purchase, develop, and manage real estate and invest in capital markets. He is also President of Timber-Lands LP and Lullwater Syndicate, Inc., both privately held real estate companies.

Rick serves on the boards of the family businesses as well as the Chair of the Board for the Peace Center for the Performing Arts.

Canal Insurance and the Timmons family have actively supported Furman for many years. Rick's father, Bill Timmons, who served six terms as a Furman trustee, and his two aunts, Kitty Wells Timmons '48 and Jean Timmons Pelham'42, are recognized in the Benefactors Circle.

The family is known for sponsorship of the Furman ProAm events over a long period of time and the lead gift for Timmons Arena. They established a major scholarship in memory of William R. Timmons '14 and his wife, Eva Timmons. Rick served on the Furman Advisory Council and he and Pat are members of the Richard Furman Society. Rick and his wife, Pat, have three children, Brittany, William, and Cliff.