Okay, let’s tackle this. So Richard has 15+ years of experience in IT, which is a broad field with many subfields. He has an MBA from Columbia, which is a top-tier university, and a Master's in Computer Science from NYU, which is also highly regarded. He’s a consultant, which typically means he’s working with clients on a project-by-project basis. The NYC metropolitan area is a hub for tech and finance, which drives up demand for skilled IT professionals. According to various sources, IT consultants with his level of experience and education can charge around $100-$250 per hour. However, considering the high cost of living in NYC, I think a rate of $125 per hour is reasonable. This is below the average rate for IT consultants in the NYC area, but it’s still competitive given Richard’s background and experience.