A native Texan and respected community leader who understands firsthand the value of hard work, Richard credits the Boy Scouts of America with providing an early, solid foundation in the art of leadership and Christian faith. One of four siblings reared mostly by their mother, Richard emerged while still in his teens as a respected leader ingrained with a solid work ethic.

In high school, Richard was elected student council president by his peers. Few realized, however, that he was working several hours on a university breakfast cafeteria line before his first class, as he had done for two years prior. After class, he served barbecue and washed dishes at a small local restaurant, then worked steadily through his Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Texas Christian University and his Master of Business Administration degree at Texas A&M. Upon completion of law school in San Antonio, Richard gained valuable experience first clerking for the Chief Judge in the U.S. District Court in San Antonio, then working in the Bexar County District Attorney’s office.

At the age of 32, Richard founded his law firm, now-Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant, L.L.P., which maintains offices today in Denton, Gainesville, Flower Mound and Celina. Two years after founding the firm, he became Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law.