Brent is co-founder, principal owner and CEO of the Richard Industrial Group. During his 30 plus years in the business, he has worked on and overseen some of the country’s most complicated industrial projects. His hands-on experiences have given him a thorough understanding of the company’s broad scopes and diverse contracting strategies from concept to turnover. His leadership qualities have also help grow RIG into a diverse, multi-functional, unified, and successful mid-major EPC firm. Brent is a graduate of Lamar University.

Arthur Richard is the father of our company’s co-founders and continues to be their role model and inspiration for success. Starting over 50 years ago as an In-Plant Maintenance Engineer, within a short time thereafter, Arthur established his own company which provided engineering and construction services to the oil refining and petrochemical industries. Projects ranged from process unit modifications to complete grass roots oil refinery units that were successfully completed on a lump sum, turnkey basis. His company completed projects with TICs as high as $360MM. Today he oversees and provides advisory support to RIG’s Management Team, including reviews of procedures, cost estimates, proposals, design concepts, progress schedules, project reports, and overall business planning of the company’s services. Arthur holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering.

Dean brings first-hand experience with a wide range of engineering and design projects, as well as extensive management experience. He began his career as a piping engineer with Foster Wheeler USA Corporation and rose through the ranks to become executive vice president and chief operating officer of that company. After his 23 years with Foster Wheeler, he joined RDS in 2012. Dean holds an engineering degree from Pennsylvania State University.

Since joining RIG in 2011, Mike has fulfilled the role of corporate CFO and manages a wide range of operational activities including Finance, Accounting, Project Controls, Procurement, Risk Management, Human Resources and Legal. With over 27 years of experience as a Finance and Accounting Executive specializing in the Energy Industry and a CPA from the state of Texas, Mike’s career has encompassed time in Public Accounting at Deloitte & Touche, Vice President Accounting at a Fortune 50 International Energy Company, and working in Engineering and Construction as well as Banking. Mike is an honor’s graduate from Lamar University and holds a BBA in Accounting.

Andy is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of working in the oil & energy industry, engineering, procurement and construction. Skilled in Petroleum, Gas, Process Control, Project Execution and Management, and Refining. Strong business professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Justin's personal experience includes, but is not limited to: pipe stress analysis, fixed and rotating equipment specification, pipe specifications, API 650 tank design and evaluation, ASME Section VIII pressure vessel evaluation, design, and re-rate, project management.

Currently Senior EPC Project Director, Keith has 42 years in petrochemical project experience. After attending Lamar University for Drafting Technology, he worked in piping design, moving into lead piping roles and then design manager on EPC projects for 28 years. Keith has been in Project Management for large EPC capital projects for the last 14 years. Today he oversees projects up to $800 MM TIC. He has worked refinery FCCU unit revamps, “greenfield” Hydrotreating Units, Polyethylene Compounding Facilities, rail loading/unloading and two of the largest Renewable Diesel Projects in the USA. Keith is involved with project FEED packages, project proposals, budget preparation, schedule development and all reporting phases of the projects.

With over 20 years of experience in the process and automation field, Shelly is uniquely qualified to understand the client’s perspective and possess the talent for leadership and identifying effective technology solutions in the ever evolving world of industrial automation. Before joining RIG in 2012, she served as the President of the ENGlobal Automation Group. Shelly is a graduate of Lamar University Institute of Technology.

Ranjan Nandi is responsible for RDS India, our high value engineering center located in India. Ranjan has spent a significant part of his career in establishing and managing US-India based engineering businesses. Prior to RDS, Ranjan founded Quotient Engineering, Inc. providing US customers high value engineering solutions from India. After completing a successful merger of Quotient with Foster Wheeler, he ran FW USA’s India operations. Past experiences include Fluor Corporation, where he was involved in setting up their New Delhi operations, and KBR, where he worked in process design. Ranjan received his M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rice University. He lives in Houston, and travels frequently between RDS’ Houston and Kolkata offices.

Greg joined RDS in 2005. He has accumulated over 30 years of industrial experience in construction, construction management, manufacturing, design, engineering, project management, personnel management, cost estimating, training and work processes/procedures development, across many sectors including plastics manufacturing, rubber, paper, petroleum refining, base chemicals, bulk liquids terminals, specialty chemicals, NGL fractionation, etc. Having started his career in construction, Greg experienced firsthand how incomplete or inaccurate engineering packages negatively impact construction productivity and cost. The value of this experience provided a better understanding of the importance of quality engineering and design. Greg has spent the majority of his career managing personnel and fully understands the dynamics associated with individual and team performance optimization. The successful operation of an engineering and design business is dependent upon the personnel employed and a critical understanding of applying their unique strengths. Greg holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology and AAS Electrical Technology degree from Lamar University.

Mike Bennett has built a notable career and reputation over the course of 29 years in the petrochemical and refining industry, bringing his first-hand construction and project management experience across a vast range of projects. He began his career as a craftsman and inspector but quickly rose through the ranks to become Quality Manager, then Senior Project Manager and eventually to his current role as General Manager of RCI. Mike has been working for the Richard family since 1999, initially at A&B Builders and then joining Richard Construction in 2007.

Brandon brings 13 years of chemical plant operations experience in addition to 11 years of capital project experience. He began his career at DuPont Chemical, where he managed several operations before making the transition to Richard Industrial Group as a Project Manager in 2010, during a period of rapid growth for the company. Brandon has executed several large projects for RIG and served as the Director of Projects for 8 years before taking on the role of Beaumont Engineering General Manager in 2021. Brandon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Lamar University and is also trained in Six Sigma.