Youth Development Director, Santa Maria Valley YMCA

Born in Santa Barbara and raised in Santa Maria, California, Richard has dedicated his career to youth empowerment and community development. As the Youth Development Director at the Santa Maria Valley YMCA, Richard oversees a wide-reaching network of programs that serve over 2,000 students across the Santa Maria Bonita School District. His leadership spans 21 afterschool sites, student internships, and the RiseUp program for at-risk youth—initiatives that collectively promote academic achievement, healthy living, and character growth.

With over 150 staff under his guidance, Richard ensures that every program is not only high-quality and equitable but also responsive to the unique needs of Santa Maria’s diverse community. His background in education, curriculum design, and budget management enables him to uphold state and federal standards while innovating to meet local demands.

Richard holds a Master’s in Education from CSU Fresno and a Master’s in Urban Education from the University of Southern California. He is also a certified CPI instructor and a proud graduate of the Leadership Santa Maria Valley Class of 2024. Deeply committed to civic engagement, he actively serves with the Santa Maria Noontime Rotary, the Santa Maria Elks Lodge, and R M Pyles Boys Camp as a Selector.