Rich has been a member of the Systems Council for over 10 years. He has held positions as Chair of Chapters (now Member Services) and Technical Activities. Rich is also an IEEE Life Fellow. His has recent experience in developing counter improvised explosive devices capabilities.

Rich earned his PhD at Kansas State University and also attended Harvard Business School. 

Rich is a former US Army Colonel with expertise in tactical and strategic guided missile systems, ammunition R&D, test and evaluation.  He served  as the Systems Engineer and Command & Control of the Strategic Defense Initiative (early Missile Defense Agency).