Join us as we hear from Mark Richard, President of the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) and Business Improvement District (BID). Mark will discuss downtown and the University District development and the DSP strategic plan. Mark recently joined DSP after eight years serving as a Spokane County Commissioner.
Biography for Mark Richard
Mark was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, and graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Government. Mark sold real estate for 10 years and during that time was elected to local and state boards by his peers for two terms and chaired a volunteer government affairs committee for multiple years. He then served as the Government Affairs Director for the Association of REALTORS® and Spokane Home Builders for five years.
In 2004, Mark was elected to the office of Spokane County Commissioners and served two 4-year terms before voluntarily resigning last year. While in office, he focused on:
- Major criminal justice system reforms
- Siting of the new detention facility
- Spurring economic development
- Facilitating regional collaboration amongst jurisdictions
- Championing both major reforms and providing key services to care for those who genuinely cannot care for themselves, such as the homeless, mentally ill, and at-risk youth.
In January of 2013, Mark was hired as the President of the Downtown Spokane Partnership.
Some of his accomplishments include:
- Recipient of the Chase Youth Foundation’s Champion of Youth Award
- Selected by readers of the Spokane Coeur D’ Alene Magazine as one of the 50 most powerful and influential men and women in the Inland Northwest in 2013
- Recipient of the first property rights advocate award from Citizens Alliance for Property Rights
- Recipient of the President’s Award for distinguished service from Spokane Home Builders Association
Mark has two daughters with his wonderful wife of 19 years. During his free time, he enjoys fishing, golfing and playing guitar.
Questions? Contact Emily Lewis at el****@****nc.com or Taryn Erickson at te*******@******ra.com.
RSVP by Monday, August 5th to guarantee your seat at this presentation.
