Staff

Bob Ruthazer, Founder and Program Director 
Certified Family Life Educator, (National Council on Family Relations: www.NCFR.org).

Bob is a regular presenter at the national SmartMarriages Conference and is certified to train trainers in a number of national programs. He is also a qualified instructor for many national programs including PREP, PAIIRS, PREPARE-ENRICH, FOCCUS, Within My Reach, How PICK a Partner, and Boot Camp for New Dads. In addition to his work with First Things First, Bob serves St. Giles Presbyterian Church as part time Family Life Educator coordinating Family Strengthening activities. 

Bob is an experienced trainer, leader and manager with 21 years experience as a Naval Officer in Aerospace Engineering & Maintenance attaining the rank of Commander, followed by 15 years community service as a Family Life Educator. A coalition builder, and familiar with ongoing research, he is widely considered the “marriage expert” in our region and is regularly called upon for consultation by government, agency and clergy leaders across race and denomination. He was selected by the Richmond Health Director to be part of the founding Core Leadership Team, developing a citywide fatherhood and male responsibility initiative: Man-Up! Member of Henrico County Community Action Team to reduce infant mortality.

Most recently, he envisioned, obtained funding for and successfully launched Boot Camp for New Dads, in partnership with six hospitals and numerous agencies in our community. Boot Camp for New Dads has expanded to become the largest program serving men in the community and has already trained over 750 new dads from all socioeconomic backgrounds. In 2009, he organized a Celebrate Fatherhood event that included a Community Leaders Forum to highlight the importance of responsible fatherhood and share resources. 

Bob and Dianne, his wife of 32 years, are passionately working to strengthen families through education, enrichment and awareness in our community. 

Tania Peterson, Business Manager
Tania has been part of the First Things First team for several years. As the part-time Business Manager, Tania handles many different tasks within the organization. She is a lifelong resident of Richmond who attended John Marshall High School before graduating with a BS in Accounting from Virginia Union University. 

Tera Barry, Promotions Manager
Tera joined First Things First in December 2011. In serving as the part-time Promotions Manager, Tera handles a wide variety of tasks for FTF.  Tera is from California and moved to Virginia with her husband when he landed a job in Richmond. She has a Master's in Cross Cultural/Leadership Studies from Fuller Theological with a background in communications.