Richard currently works in the Economic and Business Development division of Los Angeles County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS), where he leads the divisions legislative, policy, and advocacy efforts and spearheads the development and implementation of specialized workforce and economic development initiatives that promote economic prosperity for residents and businesses within Los Angeles County, particularly those with the significant barriers to success.
Prior to joining the County, Richard worked in the private sector as a public affairs consultant, primarily serving clients in the infrastructure, government, and political sectors, helping to develop and execute local hire, small business inclusion, and community engagement strategies to facilitate compliance with project labor agreements on multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects.
Two notable projects in Richard’s portfolio include the LA Metro Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, a $2 billion-dollar light rail construction project spanning 8.5 miles through South LA, Inglewood, Hawthorne, and El Segundo, and the $2 billion-dollar Automated People Mover Project at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
From 2014 - 2017, Richard served as a presidential appointee in the Obama administration, where he held multiple roles within the Office of former Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx.
Richard holds a JD from the University of Wisconsin and a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Richard currently resides in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA.
Email: rcesar@wdacs.lacounty.gov