Richard joined Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) in Toronto, Ontario in 1978 and held various positions within the Firm through 2003. The majority of Richard's career was spent in the United States in both New York and Chicago where he specialized in debt financings primarily related to corporate acquisitions.

 Most of the investment banking clients Richard worked with were private equity firms which acquired companies such as Shoppers Drug Mart and The Yellow Pages. At various times, Richard's responsibilities included running global businesses with offices in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Toronto and New York. Richard was a member of the board of directors of numerous U.S. subsidiaries of CIBC.

 After moving to PEI in 2004 with his wife Donna, Richard served as a Director of the Stars For Life Foundation, acted as co-chair for the Atlantic Veterinary College capital fund raising campaign at UPEI, was one of 5 Commissioners on the Prince Edward Island Energy Commission and  as a volunteer advisor to the Prince County Hospital Foundation's Investment Committee.