For more than thirty years, Richard has led highly regarded efforts in the development of online services, software and new media. These endeavors range from pioneering uses of satellite networking for television, the first applications of television signals for data distribution, both pre-Web and Web-based online services and the creation of various platform technologies. Over the last several years Richard has focused his attention on the transformation of the media landscape. Richard is currently head of news at Google. In that role, he oversees Google News, which connects more than a billion unique readers each week to articles from journalists in 72 countries and 45 languages. He also oversees areas of product development relating to Google’s social products (Google+). He serves on the boards of the First Amendment Coalition and the International Center for Journalists. In the fall of 2012, Richard was recognized with the Manship Prize for contributions to the evolution of digital media. In May 2013, Richard gave a commencement speech at West Virginia University. Until July 2011, Richard was CEO of Salon Media Group which operates the popular and acclaimed news site Salon.com, the blogging community OpenSalon.com, and the pioneering virtual community The Well. Richard has had a long association with Salon having assembled its initial seed financing in 1995. Salon was the first web-only publication. Richard also served, during 2007 and 2008, as a strategic advisor to the executive team at Google focusing on strategies relating to the evolution of news and television. Richard has long guided the development of new products, new technologies and new companies, often as an active board member and strategic advisor with early stage ventures.