Richard is a highly regarded veteran of government affairs and public relations, with over 30
years of experience in public policy and advocacy, crisis and strategic communications, media
relations, and issues management.
He is currently Vice-President at Prairie Sky Strategy, a public affairs firm based in Calgary.
Richard joined Prairie Sky Strategy after a decade of serving in senior leadership roles with the
Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the nation’s largest association of
independent businesses representing every industry and sector, focused on driving policy and
regulatory change at all levels of government.
In his role at CFIB, he was responsible for developing and managing legislative affairs, media
relations, policy development and advocacy campaigns. In 2015, he was promoted to Vice-
President, Alberta and BC, and led teams in both provinces as the primary spokesperson,
strategist and chief lobbyist.
Richard started in public policy as an advisor to the Leader of the Official Opposition on
Parliament Hill in the 1990s. He then became the Saskatchewan Director for the Canadian
Taxpayers’ Federation, where he was recognized in the media as one of the most effective
policy advocates in the province.
His private sector experience includes senior-level leadership and advisory positions with
Venture Communications, one of Canada’s largest independent full-service marketing agencies,
and the Certified General Accountants Association of Alberta.
Richard has a diverse educational background, including a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political
Science from the University of Calgary and a Master of Business Administration degree from
Queen’s University. He has an Accreditation in Public Relations from CPRS and served as the
association’s national president from 2012 to 2014.