People

Rich Matsuda is the W. M. Keck Observatory Director. During his 30-plus-year career at the Observatory, Rich helped build and operate the Keck Observatory telescopes, progressing to roles in senior leadership, including Chief of Operations and Associate Director of Community Relations, before assuming his current role.

In addition to overseeing the operation and performance of the Observatory, Rich also serves as the appointed Maunakea Observatories representative on the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority (MKSOA), the management and governance body for Maunakea that the State of Hawai’i established in July 2022 founded on a mutual stewardship paradigm.

Prior to joining Keck Observatory in 1993 during its construction phase, he worked at Boeing on the design and fabrication of the 777 airplane. Rich holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Washington.

Born and raised in Hawai’i, Rich is passionate about creating a resilient and sustainable future for Hawai’i’s next generations. He serves on Hawai’i Community Foundation’s Hawai’i Island Leadership Council, is a past trustee at Hawai’i Preparatory Academy, and is an Omidyar Fellow. Drawing upon his relationships and knowledge in astronomy and in the local community, Rich seeks to build bridges between the two, with aspirations of a vibrant future for all.