55 Colchester Ave
304 Kalkin Hall
Burlington, VT 05405
United States
- Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
BIO
Dr. Vanden Bergh (Rick) joined UVM in the fall of 2000 after earning a Ph.D. in Business and Public Policy and an MBA (concentration in finance) from the University of California, Berkeley. Before starting with UVM, he worked in corporate banking in Colorado and Los Angeles, and investment banking in San Francisco. He also worked with a small entrepreneurial firm in Berkeley, and taught courses in economics and American culture in Shanghai, China.
For much of his academic career, Rick's research examined firm strategy using an economic way of thinking. In his research, he developed theoretical models and empirical studies related to both firm strategy and the broader environment in which firms operate. For example, he published papers on firms' organizational strategy as well as their political strategies. His early work focused mainly on understanding the political environment, the effects of political institutions on business investment, and how firms develop integrated strategies to improve both market and political performance. Rick has also explored issues in the energy sector, including how politics and policy affect investment in renewable energy and influence entrepreneurial location and investment decisions. Drawing on this expertise in market and political strategy, Rick advises companies in the regulated telecommunications and utility industries.
More recently Rick's research extends into household economics and finance, with a particular focus on taxation, financial sustainability, and financial literacy. As part of this work, Rick conducts pro-bono financial advising for individuals and couples (including refugees and young and retired clients) to help them understand the U.S. financial system and make sustainable financial choices across their lifecycle.
Rick's research has appeared in leading academic journals, including the Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Journal of Law & Economics, Journal of Law, Economics & Organization, Journal of World Business, Public Administration Review, and Strategic Management Journal. He has won numerous research awards and grants.
During his tenure at UVM, Rick has taught courses in finance, business economics, business strategy, and the political environment of business at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, recently adding an advanced financial planning course. Rick has received multiple teaching awards at these levels, most recently as Professor of the Year for the SiMBA program (2024–2025).
Rick has also contributed extensively to service at UVM and the Grossman School of Business. For highlights, at the university level, he served on the University Planning Council for Strategic Planning, and on the Faculty Senate. He also helped redesign UVM's budget model through his role on the Incentive-Based Budgeting Committee. Within the Grossman School of Business, among other things, Rick chaired the committees that redesigned the undergraduate curriculum and was a member of the committee that designed and created the Sustainable MBA (SiMBA) program. He served as a founding organizer and long-time faculty director of the Janus Forum, which brought debates on major policy issues to campus. He has also served on multiple committees focused on improving the balance between research and teaching for faculty, including efforts to reform how teaching, research, and service are evaluated. He also served as Associate Dean for a transition period between two permanent Deans.
Courses
Bio
Dr. Vanden Bergh (Rick) joined UVM in the fall of 2000 after earning a Ph.D. in Business and Public Policy and an MBA (concentration in finance) from the University of California, Berkeley. Before starting with UVM, he worked in corporate banking in Colorado and Los Angeles, and investment banking in San Francisco. He also worked with a small entrepreneurial firm in Berkeley, and taught courses in economics and American culture in Shanghai, China.
For much of his academic career, Rick's research examined firm strategy using an economic way of thinking. In his research, he developed theoretical models and empirical studies related to both firm strategy and the broader environment in which firms operate. For example, he published papers on firms' organizational strategy as well as their political strategies. His early work focused mainly on understanding the political environment, the effects of political institutions on business investment, and how firms develop integrated strategies to improve both market and political performance. Rick has also explored issues in the energy sector, including how politics and policy affect investment in renewable energy and influence entrepreneurial location and investment decisions. Drawing on this expertise in market and political strategy, Rick advises companies in the regulated telecommunications and utility industries.
More recently Rick's research extends into household economics and finance, with a particular focus on taxation, financial sustainability, and financial literacy. As part of this work, Rick conducts pro-bono financial advising for individuals and couples (including refugees and young and retired clients) to help them understand the U.S. financial system and make sustainable financial choices across their lifecycle.
Rick's research has appeared in leading academic journals, including the Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Journal of Law & Economics, Journal of Law, Economics & Organization, Journal of World Business, Public Administration Review, and Strategic Management Journal. He has won numerous research awards and grants.
During his tenure at UVM, Rick has taught courses in finance, business economics, business strategy, and the political environment of business at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, recently adding an advanced financial planning course. Rick has received multiple teaching awards at these levels, most recently as Professor of the Year for the SiMBA program (2024–2025).
Rick has also contributed extensively to service at UVM and the Grossman School of Business. For highlights, at the university level, he served on the University Planning Council for Strategic Planning, and on the Faculty Senate. He also helped redesign UVM's budget model through his role on the Incentive-Based Budgeting Committee. Within the Grossman School of Business, among other things, Rick chaired the committees that redesigned the undergraduate curriculum and was a member of the committee that designed and created the Sustainable MBA (SiMBA) program. He served as a founding organizer and long-time faculty director of the Janus Forum, which brought debates on major policy issues to campus. He has also served on multiple committees focused on improving the balance between research and teaching for faculty, including efforts to reform how teaching, research, and service are evaluated. He also served as Associate Dean for a transition period between two permanent Deans.
Office Hours
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., or by appointment.