Richard and his wife moved to Salt Spring Island from Vancouver in 2009. This was not his first exposure to the island as he previously shepherded alternative school students on bike trips through the Gulf Islands over a 5-year span in the early 1980s.

 

Richard completed his baccalaureate degree in chemistry followed by a master’s degree in plant physiology in the United States. He subsequently moved to Vancouver and earned a teaching degree followed by a master’s degree in counselling psychology. After working as a high school teacher for 13 years he subsequently was self-employed as a vocational rehabilitation counsellor assisting injured and disabled individuals in their return to active employment.

 

Prior to coming to Salt Spring Richard had experience as a board member of his townhouse association and as Vice President within the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of BC.  Currently, Richard is retired from active employment and for the past three years has served as Treasurer of the GISRA Board.  He is now moving into the role of President and looks forward to continued participation with other board members and the Executive Director.