Beginning in 1957 as a student brakeman, Richard progressed with his studies at the Univ. of Arizona attaining a BSBA in Transportation and Public Utilities. He was promoted from Brakeman to Asst Trainmaster and moved 18 times in the next 18 years to positions in the Operating Department and then Intermodal. During his tenure at the Southern Pacific Railroad, Richard was instrumental is becoming the First Trailor-on Flatcar Officer of any railroad while working in Oakland, CA. Richard was a participant in the evolution of Automobile Transport equipment and Loading/Unloading machines helping in the development of the Fully-Enclosed Multi-Level and Unit Trains. During his 23 year career at the SPTCo., Richard invented the Chassis Stacking machine, Stanchion machine, load protection devices for Intermodal trailers and the predecessor of the AutoMax. Richard moved from the Railroad Industry to the Automobile Industry working for American Honda Motor Company for the next 24 years. Working with the BNSF Equipment Engineers headed by Mr. Nick Marsh, the BNSF produced the Prototype of the Automax at their shops in Topeka, KS. Richard convinced Gunderson to produce the AutoMax working with Mr. Bob Yates and Mr. Dave DeBour, of Gunderson. Richard produced the studies and economic evaluations while utilizing the AutoMax in Dedicated Unit Trains for Honda's to convince Honda Senior Management to purchase 400 Automax railcars for Honda Service. Richard established the traffic lanes achieving 5 revenue trips per month compared to 1.4 revenue trips for conventional equipment. Richard Retired in 2006 and formed RDF Logistics, Inc. to provide consulting services to the automotive industry for carriers and shippers. The AutoMax railcar is the ONLY piece of rail equipment for handling automobiles and light trucks/SUV's on the same equipment, greatly enhancing the ability to move between automobile plants, truck plants, and multiple product line plants, without the need for bi-levels and tri-levels which are vehicle specific equipment.