Dave Richardson joined the field of research administration in 1992 starting as a grants officer with the University of Georgia. While at the University of Georgia, Dave's work focused initially on pre-award activities in the Office of Sponsored Programs and concluded with service as a departmental business manager handling pre and post award responsibilities on a large international cooperative agreement. In 1998, Dave joined the administrative faculty of Virginia Tech assisting the Vice President for Research with research management operations of the university. In 2001, he was appointed the Director of the Virginia Tech Office of Sponsored Programs and was responsible for both pre- and post-award functions. He concluded his service to Virginia Tech as the Assistant Vice President for Sponsored Programs Administration in 2006.

In 2007, Dave joined Pennsylvania State University. He currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Research and Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs. Dave is actively involved in NCURA at the regional and national levels having served as a regional chair, national newsletter editor, and on numerous committees, currently serving as the organization's president.

Dave is a native of the Midwest having received his B.S. degree from Oklahoma State University in Agricultural Economics and M.S. degree in Family and Consumer Economics from the University of Missouri.