Richard V. Helgason, Associate Professor in the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, earned a B.S. at Iowa State University, M.S. at the University of Wisconsin, M.S. in engineering design and economic evaluation at the University of Colorado and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in operations research at SMU. After short careers as a professional cartographer, geophysical scientist and scientific programmer, Helgason joined the SMU business school faculty in 1979 and moved to the engineering school in 1980. He served on the Faculty Senate and the All-University Finance Committee and was interim chair of the Computer Science and Engineering Department from 1998-2000. His major research focus was on operations research, networks, mathematical optimization and economic analysis. He published one book and two book chapters with the late SMU University Distinguished Professor Jeffery Kennington. Helgason also has published 27 peer-reviewed articles and directed eight Ph.D. students. He retires as Professor Emeritus of Engineering Management, Information and Systems.