Could we think deeply for a few moments and reflect from an historical perspective, on how much alike we are, yet how seemingly distant and detached are our lives from one another? We propose to employ the Declaration of Independence as a foundation for that reflection.
About our Speaker:
Hon. Jeffrey K. Richard has nearly 30 years of professional experience in high-level interaction with senior policy makers, business executives and elected officials at the local state and federal levels. He has advised clients in Washington, DC, Atlanta, Cleveland and Reno, and in every major city in Texas, including Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. Today he is Senior Consultant with J.L. Powers & Associates LLC, a business development firm headquartered in Central Texas.
Mr. Richard is the former president and CEO of the Austin Area Urban League. Prior to that, he was vice president of education and workforce development for the Austin Chamber of Commerce, where he studied policy and monitored outcomes in K-12 and higher education academic achievement and student success.
Prior to moving to Austin, Mr. Richard worked in Washington, DC as a staff member in the U.S. Congress – both in the House and the Senate – and also with the United States Conference of Mayors, where he helped to create the innovative Mayors Business Council, to coordinate the resources of business and government to address large and complex public policy challenges. In addition, he served as a Trustee of the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees for more than a dozen years, having been elected to every officer position, including two terms as Chair of the Board. His consecutive terms ended in 2017.
Mr. Richard has met nearly every President of the United States since the late Ronald Reagan, and he has developed strong friendships with several members of Congress.
As a first-generation college graduate, Jeffrey Richard earned a B.S. degree, in economics and political science, with Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude honors from TCU; and a Master’s in Public Policy in urban economic development from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Jeffrey is also an ordained Christian Minister. He and his bride of more than 23 years, Naomi, have an adult daughter, Rebecca, who is in college.
Featured Lunch Meal $12:
Beef Tips over Rice
Steam Broccoli
Glazed Baby Carrots
Lemon Cake
Optional Lunch Meal $12:
Chef Salad
Meals provided by Manny Sifuentes, manager at Cafe del Rio, a business staffed by the Commission of the Blind
Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday
We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.
