Humble Beginnings
Born and raised in South Dakota, Richard has deep roots in Wyoming going back four generations. Being only 10 miles from the state line, the family would regularly partake in the visits to Wyoming family, Devils Tower and other sights and sounds of our great state. Richard's first job was technically helping out at his dad's gas station, but spent a summer working for wages at Chris' Campground in Spearfish cleaning restrooms/showers including during the Sturgis Rally.
Public Service
Even as a young man, Richard oriented himself toward public service. After graduating High School, Richard enlisted in the National Guard, serving seven years in the 109th Engineer Battalion Headquarters Detachment as a Combat Signaler (radio and field telephone communications). He served in the Student Senate and the Student Activities committee at Black Hills State University where he graduated with a Bachelors' Degree in Spanish and History. At age 21 he was elected to the local Board of Education for the Spearfish School District, probably the youngest School Board member in the state at the time.
Professional Career
During what he calls his "25-year detour" to Austin, TX, Richard was able to parlay his education and problem solving skills into a career in information technology. Seven years in technical support led to seven years in the training department where he earned a CompTIA CTT+ (technical trainer) industry certification and later Microsoft and CompTIA A+ technical certifications. He went on to do technical training for the Austin, TX Continuum of Care (CoC) for homeless services and then to the position of System Administrator, helping to translate "computer stuff" to the social workers who did the hard work of getting people off the streets, into permanent housing, and integrated back into the regular economy. He then struck out on his own as a consultant to CoCs around the country to report their progress in ending homelessness. It was humbling to see how precarious people can be even in a rapidly growing city like Austin. How even with so much tech wealth around, people can still fall through the cracks.
Today and beyond...
Richard and his wife, Jaimi, returned to the Wyoming Black Hills in 2021. They have a beautiful home in Sundance serving four cats (no one really owns cats) and enjoying the natural beauty of the Bear Lodge and surrounding prairies. They try to be frequent in their camping adventures in the Hills and like to cruise around the Hills.
But Richard never completely let go of his interest in government and politics. The corruption in various places and insistence of so many public officials to just go along to get along instead of standing up for what is right has always rubbed him the wrong way. He's been saying for years that he should bite the bullet and throw his own hat into the ring. Well, this is the year. Richard is proud to stand for the people of Wyoming and hopes to be able to do so in Washington.