Derrick Richardson, Senior Manager, State and Regional Affairs
Derrick Richardson is the Senior Manager of State and Regional Affairs at American Progress. He previously served as Director of Public Policy for the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce. As a state lobbyist for the Chamber, Richardson advocated for the interests of the Birmingham business community before Alabama’s legislative and executive branches. Other responsibilities include oversight for the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee, Transportation Council, and Finance & Taxation Committee.
Richardson has spent his career serving in various capacities in the political and legislative arenas. In 2007, he was recognized by the Alabama legislature with both Senate and House resolutions commending his public service. Noting the shortage of blacks in leadership roles in the government relations sector, the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus highlighted his efforts in 2006 with an award as a “Trailblazer and Successful Lobbyist.” Richardson was profiled in the inaugural edition of Who’s Who in Black Birmingham for its “Corporate Brass” section. He has also been highlighted in the Birmingham Times, Birmingham Business Journal, and Business Alabama Magazine.
From 2004 to 2006, Richardson was a partner with Epps, Richardson & Associates, a public-interest consulting firm that provided a range services to elected officials, nonprofits and private companies in Maryland and Washington D.C. In 2005, the firm was recognized by the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education for its mentoring work with Maryland public schools. During the spring of 2004, Richardson was selected for a congressional internship in the D.C. office of Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL). In 2003, Richardson was selected to participate in a six-month Advocacy Leaders Program Fellowship with Maryland Nonprofits. From 2000 to 2002, Richardson worked on state and congressional campaigns in Alabama, Illinois, and Maryland.
An alumnus of historic A. H. Parker High School in Birmingham, AL, Richardson finished in the top 10 of his class. Prior to graduation, he joined the Army Reserves and after completing high school he went on to graduate with honors from the U.S. Army Signal School at Fort Gordon, GA. Richardson completed 11 years of service in the Alabama National Guard and Reserves, including two rotations to Panama. In 1999, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Jacksonville State University.