Richard has a more than 20 years in the high technology industry with additional time in international trade development and small business consulting. Richard’s career actually began in the military as a Captain in the Field Artillery where he learned being cold, tired and living in substandard housing was no fun. He transitioned to high technology in 1981 selling mini computers to construction companies. Moving to the high tech giant Hughes Aircraft Company he realized a big defense company was even less enjoyable than the Army. Finally he found a home at Western Digital in Irvine CA just as the PC computer industry really started to take off. Starting as a product manager for WD’s line of Ethernet cards he ended up handling major OEMs as a marketing manager. When the Ethernet business was sold to SMC Networks he continued his work with the likes of IBM, Dell, HP and other large companies and he had the good fortune to manage International marketing for a number of years. Sadly the fun began to wind down as the hardware business turned to lower and lower margin sales. Time with Seagate Technology and tape backup drives surely highlighted that! Five years with Lantronix focusing on device marketing lead to some interesting markets like industrial automation, medical devices and other fun segments and wrapped up his hardware career. He does have a lasting legacy as the inventor of the world’s only Internet BBQ. The last few years saw time with the Australian Trade Commission as a Business Development Manager based in Seattle. In this role he worked with dozens of small Australian businesses as they created export opportunities to the US and specifically Seattle. Since then he has focused on working with small local businesses and writing books on SEO, importing, marketing on classified ad networks and local search. He also skis, bikes, hikes, plays golf and backpacks in the beautiful Northwest. Rich is also the co-author of Get Found Now Locals Search Secrets Exposed.