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Press releaseSALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 9, 2008 --- John L. (Larry) Richards was appointed 12th president of LDS Business College today, replacing Stephen K. Woodhouse who served in that post for 17 years. Addressing the overflow crowd, President Richards said, "I love you students more than I can express. I pledge to love you and to support you."
Richards began his service at the 122-year-old college in 2002 as a business department faculty member, bringing a depth of firsthand knowledge and experience from the banking industry.
A native of Salt Lake City, Richards attended the University of Utah, earning a BS degree with an emphasis in organizational communication. He also played an active role in student government there. In 2007, he earned a master's degree in education from Capella University with an emphasis in educational leadership and curriculum.
In 1977, Richards commenced a 24-year career in banking. During those years he was president/CEO and director of four banks, and interim CEO of a California-based life insurance company.
In 2002, he joined the College in the business department, teaching courses in micro and macro economics, electronic commerce, sales and customer relations, business law, entrepreneurship, and business finance. He became director of the business skills program in 2004, which grants an Associates of Applied Science in Business degree. Richards' teaching abilities were recognized in 2003 and 2006 when students awarded him the college's Teacher of the Year Award. In 2002, students also awarded him the Everyday Excellence Award.
In 2006, he accepted an appointment of assistant to the president, responsible for faculty, student life, institutional research, and planning.
To satisfy an entrepreneurial inclination, Richards has provided consulting services to more than fifty Fortune 500 and smaller companies interested in establishing state-chartered commercial and industrial banks in Utah.
Richards has a long history of community service. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Utah Banker's Association and the Utah Association of Financial Services, president of the Board of Salt Lake Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (NeighborWorks), and Chairman of the Board of Junior Achievement of Utah. Currently he is the audit committee chair of Salt Lake NeighborWorks. He was a member of the downtown education research team, which is part of the Salt Lake Downtown Rising project. He currently serves on the board of directors of Medallion Bank.
Richards has served actively in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a full-time missionary to Western Australia, Elders quorum president, ward executive secretary, bishop's counselor, and University of Utah singles stake presidency member. He also served on a general curriculum committee of the Church. He currently serves as a bishop.
Richards and his wife, Julie Victor of Brigham City, are parents of two children.
(Courtesy LDS Business College)
