Most recently, he was the Republican Staff Director at the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee. Prior to joining ENR, Richard was Staff Director for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. He previously served as Republican Staff Director for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. He also served President George W. Bush in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Economic Council, and as a U.S. Ambassador. Earlier in his career, he worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as Deputy Chief of Staff for the House Science Committee, among other assignments. Richard graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.