Background
Anderson, Richard L. was born on May 30, 1955 in Roanoke, Virginia, United States.
military officer State Legislator
Anderson, Richard L. was born on May 30, 1955 in Roanoke, Virginia, United States.
Bachelor in Political Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, 1979. Bachelor in Public Administration, Webster University, St. Louis, 1982. Graduate, Air War College, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 1998.
Since 2010 he has served in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 51st district in the Prince William County suburbs of Washington, D.C. Anderson has served on the House committees on Finance (2010–), General Laws (2010–), Science and Technology (2010–), and Transportation (2012–). He received a B.A. degree in political science from Virginia Tech in 1979. Anderson was commissioned in the United States Air Force after graduation, serving in Titan II and Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile units, as well as other command and staff positions.
He received an M.A. in public administration from Webster University in 1982. He also attended the Air War College, Air Command and Staff College and Armed Forces Staff College. He retired in 2009 in the rank of colonel.
Anderson joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as a cadet in 1969, and has been a CAP member since then. He served as National Commander with the CAP rank of brigadier general August 1993 – August 1996, and was chairman of the CAP Board of Governors February 2011 – February 2013. After his Air Force retirement, Anderson entered politics, gaining the Republican nomination for the Virginia House of Delegates 51st district in the 2009 election.
He defeated first-term Democrat Paul F. Nichols by less than two percentage points.
Member Prince William Committee 100, Lake Ridge-Occoquan-Coles Civic Association. Usher Lake Ridge Baptist Church. Member of Military Officers Association America, Mount Vernon Chapter, Air Force Association (life), Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1503, American Legion Post 364 (life).
Married Ruth Anderson. Children: Scott M., Brooke J. Nines, John R., Bria R.