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Richard Funess assumed the position of President, Ruder Finn/Americas in June 1996, after 13 years with Manning, Selvage & Lee public relations, where he rose to the position of President.  In addition to his administrative duties which involve expanding Ruder Finn business throughout the Americas, Richard continues to be involved in strategic counseling, issues management and public relations for numerous agency accounts.

Richard has over 26 years of public relations agency experience specializing in the creation and leadership of strategic account teams to service clients in business and industry. His career move into public relations evolved after seven years in the broadcasting industry, with ABC and RKO Television in advertising and public relations.  Over the years, his strategic leadership on such accounts as IBM Research, Mitsubishi (MMNA), NEC, Jamaica Tourism, Sony, and The New York Blood Center has helped each of those clients to remain competitive as players in their fields of business and philanthropy.

Richard received his BA degree in Radio Television/Broadcast Journalism from the University of Washington (Seattle).  He is a member of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and has served on the board of directors for PRSA/Los Angeles. He is the recipient of three Silver Anvil Awards from PRSA for his management role on the California Department of Transportation public affairs account and most recently for the 400^th Anniversary of Jamestown.  Funess is a recipient of Inroads Partnership Award for outstanding service in Minority hiring and served in an advisory role for the LaGrant Foundation, a national organization established to provide jobs and training for minorities in the advertising and PR industries.

He is a member of the Executive Committee of Ruder Finn.  He is a Board member of The Picture House Regional Film Center in New York, and is an Advisory Board Member of SBTV (New York).  He has served on the Board of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) and on the Board of Trustees of Clarkson University.  He has taught “High Tech” Public Relations at UCLA Extension courses.

He resides in New York’s Westchester County with his wife, Marijane, and their three children.