"Don't limit yourself or let anyone tell you that you can't do something," is the advice Robins School '84 alum and Executive Advisory Council member, Richard Harrison would like to give to our students. He would know, as Richard went against the advice of many and started his own company, Global Securities Information (GSI), in 1988 -- just four years after graduating from University of Richmond. During those 4 years after graduation, Richard worked for a law firm and a research company in which he found a niche in offering on-line legal research for business lawyers. He went from a 2 person staff to one of 150 employees, $20 million in sales and sold his company in 2005 to the Thomson Reuters Corporation. "Being raised in a modest upbringing, my goal since being a teenager was to become financially independent at a relatively young age which would allow me to do things I am passionate about," Richard stated.

Richard is now enjoying his time with his wife, Susan, and 3 children who are 9, 12 and 15 years old and living in Fredericksburg. One of his great passions has always been history, as he relayed, "History provides a needed foundation by defining our society's past and shaping who we are today." This past year he has been working closely with his children in launching a second company, Marker History LLC, which is dedicated to exposing the unique record of historical road markers to the greatest number of people. With the program beginning in the 1920's, there are now over 2,200 history markers throughout Virginia telling the story of significant historical places, events and people. Marker History will produce products that will display images of these historical road markers on posters, pictorial coffee table books and post cards. He will first be launching his business in the Northern Virginia, Richmond and Fredericksburg regions. For more information please go to markerhistory.com.

In addition to his love of family and history, Richard has also directed much of his attention to the environment. In 2007 he and Susan generously donated $500,000 to Queally Hall to ensure it will be LEED certified. He is also a believer in holistic living and is very involved in his family farm growing organic foods including silver queen corn, squash potatoes and beans. In addition, many of his investments are focused on green technologies, including his Tesla Roadster electric car.

Richard credits the education and critical thinking skills he developed while at the University of Richmond and the Robins School for his broad outlook and career success at such an early age. He has also been very active in the development of the new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship which Richard sees as a needed opportunity to assist students in thinking beyond just working for a large corporation. "You get what you put into things in life and I believe in always passing it forward to help others," stated Richard. Thank you Richard Harrison for your wonderful contributions in making the University of Richmond and the world a better place.