Dr. J. Richard Willis is the father of a seventh-grader who believes he will become the next YouTube Minecraft sensation, an sixth-grade girl who thinks everything in life needs more glitter, and a second-grader who still does not understand why a dinosaur would not make a good pet.

He enjoys good food, helping his kids learn math (pre-pandemic), and sleeping whenever his family lets him. To support his love for his family and good food, Richard is the Vice President for Engineering, Research, & Technology for the National Asphalt Pavement Association where he assists the asphalt industry with issues related to recycled materials in asphalt mixtures, pavement vehicle interaction, pavement design and environmental product declarations. Just like a good mix design, he tries to promote balance in all areas of life. He has a deep passion for education and tries to ensure that people remember the message even if they forget the man.