Richard has over 30 years of public service experience and loves to help people. He started his career serving as a firefighter/paramedic for the city on Canton. While employed there, he finished his Masters degree and began working as Juvenile Court/Mental Administrator for a children’s mental health agency. Mr. Bennett was responsible for establishing the county ‘s juvenile firesetting program. In January of 1999 he was hired as a professor of fire protection and served there until the fall of 2020. From January of 2005, he serves as founder and pastor of Dayspring Family Church in North Canton, Ohio. Richard is a certified trainer for the Institute Human Services and trains in the areas of Juvenile Firesetters as well as diversity issues. He is happily married to professor Verlinda Bennett and they have three adult children, fifteen grandchildren ang two great grandchildren. He loves traveling and can not wait until post covid 19 when he can feel free to move around the world.

To view a short video interview I did with Darrik Curry in 2021, please click this link - https://youtu.be/5POl5t0PEjY