Retired after a 36 teaching career, Richard Butler served as choir director at Jack Britt High School (13 years) and South View High School (21 years). His ensembles consistently received superior ratings at a variety of choral adjudications and festivals. He was a 2025 Grammy Music Educator Award Semifinalist (Top 25 Nationally) and was both the South View HS (2010) and NCMEA HS Choral (2023) Teacher of the Year. A Fayetteville native, Richard has a Bachelor of Music (Voice) from Methodist University (1988), and a Masters in Music Education (Choral) from Florida State University (1990). He is married to Jennifer, a retired elementary school counselor currently serving as the CCS Social Emotional Wellness Counselor, and has two children: Kelsey, a physical therapist, and Joshua, a Solar Farm Estimator.