Richard B. Email and Phone Number

• Conducted research for Center for Secure and Modern Elections on election department budgets for project that helped secure $10 million of Congressional funding.• Served as expert contributor for RFP proposals for projects in several states. • Spearheaded the acquisition of small businesses, advised on contracts, negotiations, and financial analysis.• Onboard staff, train team members, manage payroll and benefits, conduct financial forecasting, manage IT infrastructure and… Show more • Conducted research for Center for Secure and Modern Elections on election department budgets for project that helped secure $10 million of Congressional funding.• Served as expert contributor for RFP proposals for projects in several states. • Spearheaded the acquisition of small businesses, advised on contracts, negotiations, and financial analysis.• Onboard staff, train team members, manage payroll and benefits, conduct financial forecasting, manage IT infrastructure and operations. • Improved collections 15% and increased revenue 30% by streamlining standard operating procedures specific to reducing outstanding balances and increasing fee reimbursement. • Selected and implemented new software applications to increase business efficiency.• Creatively solved staff shortage by establishing a partnership with refugee organization to offer training services clients to develop quality team members and productive residents. Show less

Communications •In top-ten US media market (Atlanta), served as chief department spokesperson to various media outlets as well as the County Board of Commissioners, County Manager, municipalities, General Assembly, Office of the Secretary of State, and internal departments. •Recognized public speaker sought out for knowledgeable testimony before state and County legislative committees. •Formed successful media strategy with solid reputation for crisis management, transparency… Show more Communications •In top-ten US media market (Atlanta), served as chief department spokesperson to various media outlets as well as the County Board of Commissioners, County Manager, municipalities, General Assembly, Office of the Secretary of State, and internal departments. •Recognized public speaker sought out for knowledgeable testimony before state and County legislative committees. •Formed successful media strategy with solid reputation for crisis management, transparency, and diplomacy amidst exceedingly high-profile election cycles. •Developed innovative partnerships with large early voting locations (State Farm Arena + Mercedes-Benz Stadium) in 2020 and 2022. •Generated significant shift in voter behavior toward early voting (increase from 35 to 60% of total vote in 9 years). •First US County to partner with major sports franchises to drive awareness and engagement. Partnership Development •Secured $10.8 million grant funding from national voting rights organizations by developing partnerships. Leveraged access to volunteer labor through stakeholder engagement (e.g., Atlanta Hawks, ACLU), eliminating state funding shortfall. •Developed, proposed, and managed annual budgets totaling up to $48.5 million. •Successfully advocated for yearly budgets to cover exponential participation growth, multiple mandated recounts under state law, and year-by-year discrepancy in funding needs. •Advocated for funding, purchased and deployed mobile voting buses, a first in GA Strategy •Successfully recruited, trained, and led 45 full-time staff, 400 temporary employees, and 4,000+ volunteers to support 30 early voting sites and 265 Election Day polling locations. •Grew full-time staff from 18 to 45, including additional senior staff member to support effective management and leadership development. Created GA’s first Absentee Ballot Division. •Increased early voting sites from six to 33 (more than next four largest GA counties combined). Show less

· Served on five short-term missions during 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019.· Observed and reported in-depth on five elections in emerging democracies (Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine).· Developed further insight into corruption and other threats to free and fair voting participation.

·Increased early voting by 20% in 6 years, implemented electronic poll books and electronic voting machines, led 17-person team through 30 election/project cycles, and served as peer grant reviewer through Federal government’s Election Assistance Commission.