Richard began his mapping career in 1973 after graduating from college. Employed as a Map Technician for a consulting engineering firm, he helped develop the initial assessment mapping systems for several eastern and mid-western counties. His strong surveying background and business knowledge enabled him to later secure employment with the Buncombe County, North Carolina, Assessor’s Office.  As the Land Records Department Director, he was responsible for administrating and implementing a mapping/GIS.  He is currently a Senior Planner for the county developing an E911/address quick response dispatch utilizing the assessment GIS that he was responsible for developing.

Richard received his Cadastral Mapping Specialist (CMS) designation on January 14, 1994.  He also actively promotes the assessment mapping profession by his involvement with IAAO at both the local and national levels. The fact that the state of North Carolina leads the country in the number of CMS designees is, in large part, due to his promotion of the designation.  For his efforts on behalf of the IAAO, he was awarded the “Member of the Year” distinction in 2001.

Richard authored Course 601-Cadastral Mapping Methods and Applications as well as the current Course 651- GIS for Assessors, and has also authored the mapping curriculum courses in North Carolina that are required for “State Certification”.  In addition, he has authored two cover stories “The Roots of Cadastral Mapping” and “Adverse Possession” as well as several featured articles in IAAO’s Fair and Equitable magazine.