About Our Founder

Richard (Ric) L. Simmons
July 7, 1954 - December 23, 2007

In 2002, after a successful 30 year career in executive management with Qwest Communications, Ric Simmons founded LifeVest Publishing, Inc. His vision was to provide a means for authors with quality writing to have their works published in a simple, affordable format, and to provide an alternative to traditional publishing.

For Ric, the publishing business gave him an opportunity to help aspiring writers become published authors, an endeavor that gave him great pleasure. He derived much joy from watching an author’s dream evolve from an idea, through the galley process of writing, editing, layout & design, to finally having their book published. Ric’s vision led him on a path of discovering and tapping into a unique Internet market niche – that of offering exceptional publishing services in a simple, affordable format for authors that shared the same high standard of integrity in their writings.

Ric conducted business at LifeVest one client relationship at a time, establishing trust with each and every author, offering publishing services that fit within LifeVest’s high standards. One LifeVest author expressed their experience in this way, “I had the sense that Ric was there during every step of the publishing process, holding my hand, from my initial manuscript submission all the way through to a final published book.” Ric’s personal business approach has garnered consistent praise.

In just five short years, since it’s inception in 2002, LifeVest Publishing grew to become the largest Independent Publisher in Colorado with nearly 700 titles from approximately 500 authors from across the United States and other countries. LifeVest Publishing, Inc. is quickly making its mark in the publishing industry, specifically for a new genre of books that address huge issues that little children face; difficult issues children must grapple with such as divorce recovery, grief therapy due to the loss of a sibling with illness, children with an incarcerated parent, or children living with a physical handicap. These issues are rapidly becoming a primary focus for LifeVest.

Ric believed that books on these “huge children’s issues” were not only important, but necessary in assisting children around the world. To better address these issues, in 2007 Ric created a new non-profit organization entitled the Huge Hearts Foundation. The foundation was established specifically to connect other non-profit organizations with suitable children’s books. The Huge Hearts Foundation is scheduled to launch mid-2008 and will shed new light on children’s issues, which in turn will generate a positive trend in the industry.

On the day before Christmas Eve 2007, Ric Simmons passed away unexpectedly. As a tribute to his love of sailing, the LifeVest staff has redesigned the company branding to reflect Ric’s love of nautical adventures and of his time spent with family and friends on his sailboat in such locations as The Pacific Coast, The Great Salt Lake, Lake Granby in Colorado and many other lakes in the Western United States. As the “Captain” of LifeVest Publishing, Ric was a brave and confident man. He had a vision for LifeVest as well as a strong faith in God; and a man so genuine that shortly after establishing a business relationship with Ric, you quickly moved from a colleague of his, to becoming a friend.

Despite Ric’s sudden passing, we here at LifeVest Publishing are dedicated to honoring his legacy by continuing to provide an exceptional publishing experience for our authors. In January 2008, the Colorado Independent Publisher’s Association (CIPA) established the Ric Simmons Memorial Award to be presented annually. The purpose in establishing the Award is two-fold. First, to honor Ric who was highly regarded by many in CIPA and a very real help to less experienced publishers. The second purpose is to acknowledge and encourage publishers who reflect the same high standards of integrity and quality that Ric set for LifeVest. A fitting tribute and incredible compliment to a man who left a lasting impression on the publishing industry and on all who knew him.

Ric Simmons will be dearly missed by those who worked with him and loved him. His contagious personality and great sense of humor has left us with wonderful memories and the desire to honor his memory by keeping his vision alive. That continued vision is captured in the words from two plaques that hung in Ric’s office: