A native Tarheel, I grew up in Smithfield, NC, the home of Ava Gardner.  I was active in my community and school as an Eagle Scout, Senior Class President, member of the high school band and chorus, a community theater actor and a Boys State Representative.

In 1981, I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with BA degrees in Political Science and Speech Communications.  I was elected to the student government council while attending UNC, as well.

After graduating, I spent 26 years in sales, sales management, marketing and account management positions in the pulp and paper industry with both national and international companies, including Westvaco and International Paper Company (US), Stora Papyrus (Sweden), Eka Nobel (Germany), RoboTest/Valmet Automation (Finland) and Irving Forest Products and Domtar (Canada).  In 2007, I became a REALTOR®.

I have lived in New York (Manhattan and Queens), New Jersey (Montclair), Georgia (Atlanta) and Florida (Tampa and Hollywood Beach).  I have happily been living in Laurel Park, NC since 2002.  I has one son and two highly intelligent grandchildren.

I am a Realtor in West North Carolina, a GRI (Graduate, Realtors Institute), e-PRO and member of the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council and Council of Residential Specialists (CRS).  I love working with first-time homebuyers, real estate investors and people with property they wish to sell.

"As a first time homebuyer, I had never found a REALTOR® that would give me the time of day - until I met Rich." ~ M. Tiggs, Hendersonville, NC, and Greenville, SC

"I have never had a REALTOR® point out both the good and the BAD about a property.  Rich is one of a kind!" ~ B. Pallo, Hendersonville, NC

"When I didn't have a clue what I was looking for, Rich was very patient with me!" ~ C. Manny, Hendersonville, NC, and Lawrenceville, GA

"Even though I was determined to sell my house by myself, Rich proved to me the value he could bring by hiring him as my REALTOR®." ~ C. Andrews, Flat Rock, NC

"Many REALTORS® we've met 'just don't get it.'  Rich does!" ~J & J Knapp, Etowah, NC, and Tampa, FL

"Rich is the most patient person we've ever dealt with!" ~C & J Carroll, Stone Mountain, GA

"When we didn't know in which neighborhood we should purchase, Rich suggested a 6 month exploratory period and had us in a rental unit the next day." ~G & J Frame, Hendersonville, NC, and Tampa, FL

"This guy's got what it takes to go far in real estate!" ~K. Adams, Brevard, NC

"Rich referred us to the best REALTOR® we've ever met!" ~B & S Eddleman, Raleigh, NC

"Until Rich referred us to our new REALTOR®, our house hadn't shown in a year.  Now, the activity is almost overwhelming!" ~E & H Mason, Lilburn, GA, and Raleigh, NC