Richard Rodriguez

Senior Vice President

Richard L. Rodriguez is a foremost strategic management expert with a broad spectrum of public policy experience.  Serving the City of Chicago under two Mayors, Rich has a proven ability to manage and problem solve in an ever changing environment.  Translating those skills to Res Publica will be invaluable to the strategic counsel we provide our clients.

Rich, an attorney, served most recently as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Environment.   Previously he was President of the Chicago Transit Authority, the nation’s second largest public transit system and Commissioner for both the Department of Aviation, where he managed Chicago’s Airport System, and the Department of Buildings. He was also Executive Director of Construction and Permits. Additionally, Rich oversaw strategic initiatives for the Chicago Public Schools and worked as Managing Director of Operations for the Chicago Housing Authority. He first joined the City of Chicago in 1999.

He is involved in many civic and community organizations and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of Loyola University’s Council of Regents and is on North Park University’s Leadership Council, DeVry University’s National Board of Advisors, Casa Central’s Board of Directors, Daughters of Charity Ministries of Chicago’s Board of Directors and the Chicago Innovation Awards Board of Advisors.  Rich has also received many leadership awards from community organizations and completed fellowships with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs - Emerging Leaders program, Leadership Greater Chicago and the Metropolitan Leadership Institute.

Rich resides in Chicago and is married with five children and holds a JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law.