Richard Madden began his career, upon graduation from the University of Pittsburgh, designing process control computer hardware for Westinghouse industrial products.  In 1969, he and former colleague from Westinghouse, founded Computerm Corporation, one of the first and most successful technology companies in Pittsburgh, employing more than 100 people.  Computerm's successful work with the University of Pittsburgh, spearheaded the company's significant achievements for the next three decades.  There are more than 1100 Computerm systems installed throughout the world.  Mr. Madden served as Chief Executive Officer of Computerm from 1991 until 2000, when the company was sold to Inrange Technologies Corporation.

He is a supporter of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.  He recently established The Richard J. Madden Foundation Scholarship in the School of Engineering as an endowment to support undergraduate students pursuing degrees in the Department of Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering Program at the University of Pittsburgh.