Richard Benbow
Regional Vice President
Western Governors University

Richard achieves goals and projections for access and graduate outcomes by instituting clear priorities, initiatives, and goals with the accordance of colleges and university plans. He drives objectives of prospect management, awareness development, and partner enablement by defining various marketing strategy, such as field marketing strategy partner marketing, field activities, and events. He executes lead generation and prospect initiatives to enhance the awareness, reputation, and applicant interest within target populations and workforce sectors in the region. Richard achieves defined goals by developing strategy for state-level affiliates and scale existing State Affiliates in the region. He is recognized by defining and overseeing the execution of public relations, brand reputation and awareness development to maintain a positive/favorable opinion about the organization. He promotes the stability of the industry in the region and makes the region more attractive for future development by cultivating regional partner strategies. Richard achieves expected outcomes with the attention of expanding access by superintending performance and accountability for leads, applicants, enrollment, and matriculates. He distinguishes as a primary spokesperson for the University in the region with key constituents, including press, government, partners, higher education, and industry. In addition, he ensures alignment and shared success by integrating priorities and execution with WGU Policy and External Affairs teams. Moreover, he provides a high level of support to improve the graduate reputation, credibility, and access to employers and opportunities with the implementation of strategies and priorities to develop graduate and alumni services in the region. Richard provides regional direction for organization by developing short-term and long-term financial and operational goals. As a part of his effort to guide the development of WGU’s flywheel, Richard develops the partnership relationships which drive value for employers and students.

In his previous role as Chief Officer, Government and Community Relations – UCLA, Richard has driven planning strategies, enhancing existing efforts to engage elected officials and local stakeholders to advance the needs, priorities and interests of UCLA through legislation, policy and regulations. He has served as a key advisor to leadership to advise on political consequences/ramifications of positions and decisions. Richard has led government and community relation initiatives, transforming guidance from the university and system leadership into an overarching legislative/policy strategy, and translating strategic legislation goals into cross-functionally coordinated campus system legislative positions. He has spearheaded the development and cultivation of relationships with key government, community, and business leaders in the region to identify opportunities for funding, partnership and engagement.

In his previous role as Senior Director, External and Government Affairs, West Region – Time Warner Cable, Richard has expanded the company’s brand across a new region of communities and local municipalities, opening the door to lucrative partnerships in the area and spearheading the opportunity for new business using corporate and public partnerships. Here, he has directly influenced growth in subscribers and millions in new municipal contracts by facilitating the introduction of Time Warner Cable Wifi hotspots throughout Southern California and working with external relations teams to promote civic alliances. In addition, he worked closely with programming partners and content providers to build community engagement campaigns, expanding the volume of company brand impressions and raising awareness of new channel offerings. As part of his effort to build lasting relationships of mutual benefit between the company and other organizations, Richard represents Time Warner at the regional Diversity Fair, ensuring exposure to vendors and legislators while working to increase utility contract volume.

In his previous role as Senior Manager within the City of Los Angeles Franchise Administration and Constituent Affairs department, Richard oversaw financial and technical audits of cable companies serving the city, building operator relationships and continually renegotiating contracts. As a result of his work in establishing customer service solutions with operators, issue resolutions were expedited and customer churn was reduced – effectively creating savings for the city, increasing revenue collected, and retaining subscribers at cable providers. As a team-builder and mentor, Richard established a strong talent pool, hiring service and franchise oversight staff held to high standards in compliance, negotiation processes, customer service, and accuracy. With additional grooming and coaching to reach leadership roles, Richard’s team benefited from his participatory leadership style and emphasis on career progression. By focusing on community engagement efforts to identify the services important to residents, he built comprehensive matrices and led community forums to illuminate areas of need, including noncompliance items and areas requiring stronger performance from cable operators.

Richard earned his MBA degree at the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business and also holds an MA in Emerging Communication Technology Policy & Strategy from the University of Southern California. He completed a BS in Business Management and International Business from Howard University in Washington DC.

Richard is a member of the National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications, Women in Cable Telecommunications, Leadership Los Angeles, and the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing, and serves as a Diversity Council Committee Leader representing Time Warner Cable. He serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the California Cable & Telecommunications Association, with previous roles as a Board member for the Harbor City Boys and Girls Club and a former Advisory Board Member for Urban Media. In his spare time Richard assists young student athletes in their pursuit of competing athletically in college, coaches youth basketball and football, and serves as a mentor.

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