Richard H. Cron is Founder and President of Copano Communications, LLC, a public affairs and media relations consulting firm based in Houston, Texas. He provides clients with specialized expertise in legislative relations, grassroots advocacy, coalition building, strategic communication management, and public sector business development. Richard has substantial experience in researching and creating earned media plans that reach target audiences, maximize media mix and frequency, and effectively leverage traditional and new media platforms.
Richard has advocated on behalf of myriad interests in such areas as environmental quality, coastal restoration, land use planning, and transportation infrastructure. For over 20 years he has worked extensively with municipal, county, state, and federal elected officials, as well as with regulatory departments at each level of government. He has collaborated closely with the Texas Association of Counties, the Texas Municipal League, the Texas Conference of Urban Counties, and multiple regional councils of governments throughout Texas.
Prior to moving into public affairs consultancy, Richard was Vice President of Carreñogroup Public Relations in Houston. He also served as Vice President of Government Affairs for the Greater Houston Builders Association. In that capacity, he led the association’s advocacy efforts at city council meetings, regulatory and legislative hearings, coalition gatherings and other industry events.
Previously, Richard was Legislative Director for Harris County (Texas) and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels. Richard managed Harris County’s legislative program at the state Capitol in Austin during the 76th and 77th legislative sessions. In this role, he managed Harris County’s professional lobby team, organized the research and drafting of legislation, negotiated bill language and amendments, and recruited members of the legislature to sponsor County initiated legislation. In addition, Richard prepared comments and testified on behalf of Harris County and Judge Eckels before numerous legislative committees and state commissions.
Following his legislative director position, Richard was Director of Environmental Initiatives for Judge Eckels, advising the Judge on policy issues related to air quality, water supply, flood control, and special district regulation.
He began his professional career with the Oklahoma based political consulting firm, Cole, Hargrave, Snodgrass & Associates. Richard served as campaign fundraising coordinator for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and was Executive Director of the National Association of Counties Annual Conference held in Houston.
Richard is a board member of the environmental non-profit, Artist Boat, located in Galveston, Texas. He is also a member of the League City Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Alliance for Brazoria County. Richard graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
