Kansas City Metropolitan Area
Richard has dedicated his career to making Kansas City a better place to live, work, and play. An architect and urban designer with studies in business and entrepreneurship, he started his career designing sports facilities before transitioning to business development and marketing roles at large construction firms. In 2010, Richard and Steve Swanson founded Centric during a downturn in the construction market. They grew it into a $250M, 185-person company serving multiple vertical markets and across disciplines with the core values of Have Fun, Make Money, Kick Ass - Safely. In 2023, they sold the company to its employees and now work alongside fellow employee-owners. The same year, Richard and Steve co-founded ElevenTen Systems, which manufactures structural and enclosure panels for multifamily and hospitality projects nationwide. The panels, made from cold-formed steel with insulation, moisture barriers, and fenestration, offer quality and affordability compared to traditional materials. Richard has been active in civic and charitable initiatives, serving as Chair of the Downtown Council, President of the American Institute of Architects - Kansas City, Chair of ImpactKC, and on the Steering Committee of the Centurions leadership program. He has helped the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri, KC Repertory Theatre, and The Children’s Place in developing new facilities. He currently serves on the boards of CommunityAmerica Credit Union and Cristo Rey Kansas City, and on advisory boards for the University of Kansas, the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and Thank You Walt Disney. He is also a member of Young President's Organization - Kansas City Gold Chapter and YPO’s Construction Industry Network. Richard has been recognized as part of the Kansas City Business Journal’s Power 100, Ingram’s Magazine’s Ingram's 250 and 40 Under Forty, a Central States finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and a Rising Star of Philanthropy by Nonprofit Connect. Centric has been named Emerging Business of the Year and a Top 10 Small Business by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and a Best Place to Work and a Champion of Business by the Kansas City Business Journal, in addition to over fifty individual project awards. In 2015, Richard received the Bernard Powell Award from the Centurions, recognizing an impactful career in Kansas City. Richard lives in Kansas City with his wife Jen, who owns Inspired Closets KC, a national custom cabinetry dealership. Together, they have five kids and two dogs. The dogs come first.
Found, grow, lead, sell, and guide a $250MM 185-FTE diversified and award-winning construction services company in Kansas City, Missouri. Primary roles include executive leadership, strategy, marketing, sales, community involvement, and financial analysis.
Serve and guide a top 20 national credit union during its growth from $1.5B to $10B in assets. Select, guide, and evaluate a Chief Executive Officer who initiated exciting sponsorships with the Kansas City Chiefs/Royals, an innovative Profit Payout for members, and large national acquisitions.
Found, grow, and guide a $10MM construction materials manufacturing business providing innovative pre-fabricated structural and enclosure panels for multi-family and hospitality projects across the United States. Primary roles include strategy, marketing, and sales.
Acquire, grow, and guide a Kansas City-based dealership to design and install beautiful and functional home organization systems, including closets, pantries, offices, mudrooms, and garages. Primary roles include strategy, finance, and sales.
Lead business development efforts in Kansas City for a large general contractor, resulting in large account sales of over $75MM. Launch, develop, and implement a strategic marketing and sales plan for small account business, growing it to $80MM in annual revenue.