Dr. Bruce A. Richards has degrees in oceanography, animal science and agricultural extension education from the University of Delaware and Penn State University. His research and management efforts focused on benthic marine ecology and estuarine phycology. Richards co-discovered Aureococcus anophageefferns (Brown Tide) in the Delaware & Maryland coastal bays. At the time this was the southern most range of this harmful algal species. Additional research interests focused on the inorganic chemical release of As, Cr & Cu from Cromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) treated wood on benthic organisms.

Prior to this position Richards served as the Executive Director of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (National Estuary Program) in Lewes, DE from 1995 to the summer of 2004. As executive director, Richards started the non-profit organization, procured state and EPA funding, managed eight staff, over 200 volunteers, and provided the leadership on projects from watershed enhancement projects, oyster gardening, SAV restoration and coordinated marine research with the College of Marine Studies at the University of Delaware. Richards also served as the chair of the Delaware Invasive Species Council (2001-2004), Treasurer of the Association of National Estuary Programs (2000-2002) and is currently a commissioner with the Delaware Lagoon Commission (2003-2009). Prior to this position, Richards served as a Senior Extension Agent for Penn State University, College of Agriculture in southeast Pennsylvania. In the summer of 2006, Richards became a Certified Lake Manager (CLM) from the North American Lake Managers Society (NALMS), one of 60 CLMs in North America.

Richards currently serves as the Northeast Regional Manager of SolarBee since the summer of 2004. His current position encompasses technical sales and applications engineering of SolarBee units from Virginia to Maine. The SolarBee uses solar powered circulation technology to combat water quality problems in estuaries, lakes, ponds, wastewater facilities and potable drinking water tanks.