Richard earned his Bachelor's Degree in Physics from the University of Pittsburgh and his Master's Degree in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University. His academic achievements include graduating with Honors at the top of his class in Physics, Academic 4-Year Merit Scholarship, Sigma Pi Sigma Honorary Physics Fraternity, National Honor Society, and the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute. He served as a Research Assistant at the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Physics and Astronomy Semiconductor Optics Lab and Nuclear Physics Lab in conjunction with Westinghouse R&D. Richard has also completed the Carnegie Mellon University Graduate School of Industrial Automation. Entrepreneurial Management Program, and the Birthing of Giants Program, sponsored by Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Inc. Magazine.

Richard's professional career began at PPG Industries, Inc. where he was employed as a Development Physicist and Systems Integrator. He led projects relating to Glass Quality Improvement and Diagnostics, Physical and Mathematical Modeling, and Instrumentation and Automation. He was instrumental in pioneering the utilization of machine vision for use in closed loop process control, and implementation of virtual instrumentation technology for millions in profit.

In 1993, Richard founded Data Science Automation, a software and systems engineering firm that specializes in developing highly technical PC and network-based solutions for research and industrial clients, and is now President and Chief Executive Officer.

Richard is a member of the Southpointe CEO Association, Young Entrepreneurs Organization (YEO), Pittsburgh Technology Council, ISA International Society for Measurement and Control, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Optical Society of America, Automated Imaging Association, and the Control and Information System Integrator Association. In addition to his business interests, Richard is a member of the Bethel Park School District Technology Advisory Council and the Sierra Club.

Richard resides in Bethel Park with his wife, Judy, and their four children, Brittney, Holly, Grace and Diana.