Richard joined Prairie Sky after a decade in senior leadership with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), Canada’s largest independent business association, where he played a pivotal role in influencing policy and regulatory changes at all levels of government. In 2015, he was promoted to Vice-President for Alberta and BC, where he led legislative strategy, media relations, policy development, and advocacy as CFIB’s chief spokesperson and strategist for both provinces.

Richard’s public policy career began on Parliament Hill as an advisor to the Leader of the Opposition. He then joined the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation, gaining recognition as a leading public policy advocate in Saskatchewan. His private sector experience includes senior roles with Venture Communications, one of Canada’s largest independent marketing agencies, and the Certified General Accountants Association of Alberta.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Calgary and an MBA from Queen’s University, along with an Accreditation in Public Relations from the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS), an association he led as national president from 2012 to 2014. He currently also serves on the boards of both CPRS Calgary and the Alberta chapter of the Public Affairs Association of Canada (PAAC).

Born and raised in Calgary, Richard enjoys skiing the Rockies’ powder in winter and waterskiing BC’s lakes in summer.