Richard G. Olmstead is a Wyoming Alpha Phi Delt and a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming. He entered the University of Wyoming following high school graduation and pledged the Wyoming Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta in 1968. As an undergraduate, he served the chapter in numerous leadership roles, including Chapter President in 1972. In 1973, he was elected President of the Interfraternity Council and was honored as Greek Man of the Year.
Upon graduation from the University of Wyoming, Richard reported for active duty in the United States Navy. He was selected to attend Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School and reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola in July 1973. He received his commission in October 1973 and earned his Naval Flight Officer wings in November following graduation from advanced jet navigation training. He reported to his squadron at Naval Air Station Cecil Field and served seven years on active duty.
Richard continued his naval service as a reservist following active duty and retired in 1995 after twenty-eight total years of service. During his naval career, he logged more than 1,200 flight hours and completed over 100 aircraft carrier landings.
After leaving active duty in May 1980, Richard returned to Cheyenne, Wyoming. In September 1981, he joined Lockheed California Company and relocated to Burbank, California. He began his civilian career as a Systems Engineer on the Navy’s S-3A Viking anti-submarine warfare aircraft, which he had flown while on active duty. Over the course of his career, he was promoted into positions of increasing responsibility and ultimately served as Program Manager for the United States Air Force U-2 “Dragon Lady” reconnaissance aircraft. He retired from Lockheed Martin on September 30, 2010, after twenty-nine years of service.
Richard has also maintained a long record of civic involvement through Kiwanis International, where he has been a member for forty-six years. His service includes leadership roles as President of three local clubs, Governor of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District from 2011 to 2012, and service on the Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation Board beginning in 2004, including terms as Foundation President from 2006 to 2008. He became a Certified Kiwanis Trainer in 1985 and has facilitated more than sixty Club Leadership Education programs. In 2017, Richard was elected to the Kiwanis International Board and served a three-year term as an International Trustee.
Richard earned a Bachelor of Science in General Business from the University of Wyoming, a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University, and a Master of Business Administration from Woodbury University.
He has been married to his wife, Cheryl, for thirty-two years. They have three adult children and eight grandchildren. Richard enjoys traveling, snow skiing, golfing, and spending time with his grandchildren.