csg serves the states
CSG SOUTH/SOUTHERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, Missouri SLC 2017–2018 Chair
2018 EVENTS State Transformation in Action Recognition July 24, 2018 | St. Louis, Missouri
The Southern Legislative Conference’s unique convening power— sustained for more than seven decades—has enabled us to bring together diverse voices from within our region, helping to clarify differences and find practical solutions to shared governmental problems.”
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issouri state Sen. Ron Richard represents the 32nd senatorial district, which includes the citizens of Dade, Newton and Jasper counties. His time in the Missouri General Assembly began in 2002, when he was elected to the House of Representatives, serving the 129th district.
JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS
Richard said he’s honored to serve as the 2017– 2018 Southern Legislative Conference chair and host the SLC’s 72nd Annual Meeting in St. Louis in July.
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serve in the Senate in 100 years. He was chosen to serve as majority floor leader in 2012. Richard was elected to a second Senate term in 2014 and again was selected as majority floor leader. In 2015, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as president pro tem of the Senate. Richard is the first person in the history of Missouri to serve as both speaker of the House and president pro tem of the Senate.
In addition to his legislative work, Richard has “The Southern Legislative Conference’s unique full duties with C&N Bowl Corporation in Joplin, Missouri. He served as mayor of Joplin from convening power—sustained for more than 1994–1997, and on the Joplin city council from seven decades—has enabled us to bring to1990–1994. gether diverse voices from within our region, helping to clarify differences and find practical Richard is a member of the following organisolutions to shared governmental problems,” zations: Joplin Elks Lodge, Joplin Chamber of Richard said in a letter shared on SLC’s webCommerce, National Federation of Indepensite. “Nowhere is our mission more on display dent Business, Kiwanis, Farm Bureau, Scottish than during our annual meetings, where we Rite Bodies, Valley of Joplin and Knights of bring expertise, balance and informed debate Columbus. He has received numerous awards to the state-level discussion of policy options.” from business, industry and education entities In 2008, Richard was chosen by his colleagues throughout the state. to serve as speaker of the House. Richard was the first speaker from Newton County and the second from the region since Dick Webster of Jasper County.
Richard received a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University in 1969, and a master’s degree from Missouri State University in 1972.
In November 2010, Richard was elected to the Senate, becoming the first House speaker to
Richard lives in Joplin with his wife, Patty. They have two children and four grandchildren.
72nd Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference July 21–25, 2018 | St. Louis, Missouri Focusing on both existing and emerging state government innovations and solutions, the SLC Annual Meeting provides policymakers with diverse opportunities to engage regional and national policy experts about the issues that matter most to them and their constituents. Each year, the SLC Annual Meeting shines a spotlight on the host state’s yearlong planning to accommodate members from across the region with special activities and events unique to both the host city and state.
Legislative Delegation to the Panama Canal September 2018 | Panama
Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills Oct. 13–17, 2018 | Little Rock, Arkansas The Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills, or CALS, seeks to create skilled, educated and confident state leaders by developing and enhancing core competencies that play a vital role in the service of public officials, in both professional and personal arenas. Through activities and instruction focusing on the leadership program’s four central components— communication, conflict resolution, consensus building and critical decision-making — CALS scholars have an opportunity to reinforce and refine these crucial skills. Applications for participation in the CALS program are accepted from emerging leaders in state government in SLC’s 15 member states. Full scholarships are provided to those selected, covering all costs related to participating in the program. To learn more or apply for the CALS leadership program, visit slcatlanta.org/CALS.