Richard is from the Swift Current area, where he grew up on a mixed farming operation. Richard obtained his Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan. After university, he worked with Agriculture Canada for 12 years as a research technician in Soil, Plant Pathology and Plant Breeding. After his research role, Richard worked for Monsanto for 7 years as a Territory Manager working closely with growers and retailers on the Monsanto Portfolio of products.

Over the last 15 years, he has spent his time working with growers in providing agronomy and grain marketing services, managing the team at Paterson Grain to serve the needs of growers in the Swift Current area. Richard returns to a Regional Account Manager position with ATP Nutrition, to provide customers the nutritional, biological and analytical resources to excel in the agricultural market, maximize their return on investment and ultimately deliver the genetic potential of their crop.

Richard resides in Swift Current with his wife, Heather, and has twin girls, Shae and Jenna, who are heading off to university this fall.