Richard, an only child from Bee Spring, Kentucky, embarked on his educational journey after completing high school, initially unsure of his career aspirations. He spent a couple of years working multiple jobs and attending Western Kentucky University (WKU) on a part-time basis, before deciding to join the Army.
As a military policeman, Richard served on active duty for over five years, during which he attended various training programs, including Air Assault School, Airborne School, Special Reaction Team, and the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course at Camp Mackall, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Following his military service, Richard returned to WKU with a newfound sense of purpose, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Math. He then went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Engineering Technology Management at WKU, where he wrote a thesis titled "The Effects of Goal Setting in a Developmental Algebra Course."
Richard's academic pursuits continued as he earned a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership at WKU in August 2017. His dissertation, titled "Overcoming Failure: Characteristics of Leaders Who Have Successfully Recovered from a Significant Setback," explored the topic of resilience and coping mechanisms in the face of failure.
Throughout his 17-year career, Richard has worked primarily in industrial settings as a quality engineer and quality manager. He has also taught developmental algebra at WKU for six years and owned his own business for eight years, facing numerous challenges and opportunities for growth and leadership.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Richard has explored his creative side by taking acting classes in 2014 and attending various workshops. He was cast as the lead male role in the play "Soldier's Joy" in 2016 and has since appeared in several TV series and film projects, for which he is deeply grateful.
