Ms. Richter was a certified public accountant with KPMG LLP for 26 years until her retirement in June 2001. She joined KPMG's Minneapolis office in 1975 and was admitted to its partnership in 1987. During her tenure at KPMG, Ms. Richter served as the National Industry Director of KPMG's U.S. Food and Beverage practice and also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the KPMG Foundation from 1991 to 2001. Based on this vast employment experience in finance and accounting, Ms. Richter also has been appointed by West Marine's board to serve on its audit committee as a financial expert.

Ms. Richter currently serves on the board of directors of G&K Services, Inc., where she is also a member of the audit committee. Additionally, she was named to serve a three-year term on the National Advisory Forum of Beta Alpha Psi and was elected to the board of directors and executive committee of The Boys and Girls Club of Minneapolis. Her organizational memberships include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Minnesota Society of CPAs, and the National Association of Female Executives.

Ms. Richter graduated summa cum laude from Moorhead State University, was the first recipient of the School of Business Outstanding Alumni Award, and recently was initiated as an honorary member of the Golden Key National Honor Society by the University of Minnesota chapter.