Biographical Sketch

Richard E. Webber is the President and CEO of Marrick Design and Development Services, Inc., Stratford, NJ, and Assistant Professor at Drexel University's Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, where he teaches an introductory course in AutoCAD 2002 to undergraduate students.

Born in Seattle, Washington, "Rick" grew up in the Pacific Northwest, graduated from high school in Spokane, Washington, then served in the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam War, where he was trained in electronics and learned to enjoy traveling at sea aboard the Ice Breaker Eastwind. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Engineering (Nuclear Option) from Idaho State University in 1974, and began serious work as a Nuclear Safety Analyst for United Engineers and Constructors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

After 13 years in the Nuclear Power Industry, Rick discovered the up-and-coming market in Computer Aided Design, and it's leader, Autodesk. An opportunity for formal training presented itself, and after a year of experience with a consulting engineering firm in Newport, Delaware, he launched his own company, Marrick Design and Development Services. Incorporated in 1999, the firm provides AutoCAD consulting and other related services primarily in the Delaware Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania, but has been known to ship files via the Internet to clients nationwide.

In 1992, a friend suggested that he might enjoy sharing his forward leaning AutoCAD techniques with the Philadelphia AutoCAD Users Group, and he's been doing so since. In 1998, he was listed in the International Edition of Who's Who of Information Technology.

Rick lives in Stratford, NJ with his lovely wife of 36 years, MaryLee, who earned a Masters degree in Adult Education from Widener University, and who is an instructor in Medical Assisting and Medical Office Management at Burlington County Institute of Technology in Medford, NJ. Their two children, Marshall and Leah, are both happily married and live within a few minutes drive. Marshall is Network Administrator for Burlington Coat Factory and comments on World Wide Web issues and VWs. Leah is Office Manager for Brian Richards Entertainment, and enjoys raising her two children, Gracie and Collin.