Richard Gerdts’s academic and work history are a mix of engineering and business. Most of his formal education is technical, including a B.S. in Computer Engineering and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University, and an M.S. in Computer Engineering from NC State University. Richard used that knowledge to work in the field of computer chip design and design automation. His business education includes many undergraduate business classes at Penn State University and the completion of his CCIM designation, demonstrating knowledge and experience in the field of commercial investment real estate. Richard's real estate work encompasses commercial brokerage, commercial development, residential redevelopment, and investment real estate including affordable housing. He works in the financial and systems areas of his wife’s pediatric dental office in addition to his real estate businesses.
Outside of work Richard enjoys endurance sports and scuba diving with his family. Both Richard and his wife are completing a marathon in every state; they just finished state 43. Understanding research methodologies and being able to apply research to his business community are his main motivations for pursuing a Doctorate of Busiiness Administration.
Business information systems and operations management are areas of research that are consistent with his work, experience, and his curiosity. Specifically, task automation to reduce the burden of operations management could be interesting.