Richard’s first job was in the fishing industry as a teenager working for his brother at Walcan Seafoods. The job eventually got him through the Biology program at the University of Victoria where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985. After a short stint as a salmon guide in Knight Inlet he then took the first Aquaculture Technician Program at North Island College, Richard became a salmon farmer in 1986 with a small company by the name of Georgia Seafarms. After surviving a few industry changes, Georgia Seafarms eventually became Marine Harvest Canada where Richard was the Operations Manager, then Processing Manager. In 2005 Richard joined Cermaq Canada (then Mainstream) where he is now the Sustainability Manager in the Environment and Sustainability Department. Richard is a long term resident of Campbell River (born there) with strong roots to the community and the area.