Vice-Mayor Rick Butler was elected to City Council in March 1998 and was re-elected in 2000,  2004 and 2008. Prior to his election, he served as a Board Member on the Pinellas Park Community Development/Citizens Advisory Committee from 1980 to 1988; President of the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce in 1986; Chairman of Country in the Park from 1987 to 1992; President of the Pinellas Park Boys/Girls Club in 1991; Trustee of Columbia Northside Hospital from 1992 to 1995; President of the Pinellas Park Kiwanis Club from 1992 to 1993; Member-at-Large of Celebrate Pinellas Park, Inc. from 1993 to March, 1998; Member of Pinellas Park Equity Study Commission from 1993 to 1994; Board Member of Adult Comprehensive Protection Services from 1995 to Current; Board of Trustees of the First Baptist Church of Pinellas Park from 1996 to March, 1998; SAC Committee Member of the First Baptist Christian School from 1996 to March, 1998; Board Member of the Pinellas Park Art Society from 1997 to March, 1998; Member of first graduating class of the Pinellas Park Citizens Police Academy.

Due to his dedication to community service, Rick has received numerous awards including Citizen of the Year for 1991 by the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce; the Key to the City in 1991 by the Pinellas Park City Council; the Golden Boy Award in 1991 by the Pinellas County Boys/Girls Club; the Kiwanian of the Year in 1995 by the Pinellas Park Kiwanis Club; the Friends of the Arts by the Pinellas Park Art Society.

Rick is a lifelong resident of Pinellas Park. He is an avid fisherman and alligator hunter. He attends the First Baptist Church of Pinellas Park. Rick resides at 7700 56th Street N, with his wife Carol and son, Ricky (his best buddy), as well as their basset hound, Savannah Belle and cat, Opie.