Richard T. Swist is Director of Strategic Planning for the Association Development Group, Inc.

Mr. Swist is an expert in strategic management and public policy dealing with a wide range of government and association management issues. He has over twenty-five years of government experience in public transportation, economic development and human services delivery. Mr. Swist served as Executive Director of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority in Buffalo, New York for seven years and as Executive Director of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency for eight years, also in Buffalo. Prior to that, he worked for the Erie County Executive as a senior policy advisor on legislative, criminal justice, mental health and economic development matters.

While serving in public leadership positions, Mr. Swist actively participated in national and state trade associations, where he applied his management expertise to developing strategic plans to guide association activity on behalf of its membership. He has served as President of the National Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) and the New York Public Transit Association (NYPTA). As President of NYPTA, he implemented a strategic plan that resulted in a more effective advocacy program and nearly doubled membership and revenue. Mr. Swist has also served as First Vice President of the New York State Economic Development Council.

In 1998, Mr. Swist formed Swist Government Consulting Associates, providing public policy, strategic planning and management services to both public and private sector clients. In 2002, Mr. Swist became affiliated with the Association Development Group, Inc. as Director of Strategic Planning.

Mr. Swist holds a Bachelor’s degree in government from Dartmouth College and a Master of Business Administration degree from SUNY at Buffalo.