Richard is an active community volunteer who moved to Houston in 1970 after receiving his master’s degree in education from the University of Iowa. His professional career included almost 50 years as a nonprofit program director and fundraising professional. In February 2018 he retired from Today’s Harbor for Children, formerly Boys & Girls Harbor, after working for 13 years as their Director of Development and Communications.

He is a Life Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and this year marks his 24^th year as a volunteer on the Speakers Committee. In addition to speaking to business and civic groups about RODEOHOUSTON, he also spends time telling children and adults about the Rodeo as “FLAME” the Rodeo Clown. In 2002 and 2022 he was selected as the Committee’s “Speaker of the Year”. In 2010, 2011, 2019 and 2022 he was recognized as one of the Committee’s five “Top Producers”, and in 2012 he was named “Top Special Events Speaker”. This year Richard is serving his third year as Vice Chairman for the Committee’s Public Speaking Team.

Community involvement includes membership in the Rotary Club of Houston Heights and Optimist Club of Downtown Houston. He currently serves on the Board of the  Apollo Chamber Players, a nonprofit string quartet, and the Board of the Rotary Club of Houston Heights Charitable Foundation. In addition to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Speakers Committee, he is also a Team Captain for the Astros Foundation Volunteer Corps, and volunteers at other charitable organizations in the Greater Houston area. In his spare time, he enjoys visiting museums and bass fishing.

Contact Information:

Cell: (832) 687-7717

gruen2u@aol.com