MEET RICHARD BEARD
The right leadership – at the right time.
Richard Beard is a seasoned economic development professional and real estate consultant with over 30 years of experience in site selection, business recruitment, and industrial development in the Greensboro area.
Richard grew up in Greensboro, graduated from Page High School, and earned his Business Degree from Greensboro College. His career in economic development began in 1993 with the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership, returning to Greensboro in 1996 as Senior Project Manager for economic development with the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Richard left the Greensboro Chamber to join the private sector in Site Location Consulting and incentive negotiations representing corporations with expansions and relocations throughout the Southeast. In 2005, he joined Simpson Schulman & Beard Commercial Real Estate and led a local ownership acquisition of Rock Creek Center, the Piedmont Triad’s largest industrial park.
His leadership with the Rock Creek Center development created over $1 billion in new tax base for Guilford County and the creation of over 5,000 new jobs. In 2022, he left his successful career in commercial real estate and development to step into a full time leadership position as President & CEO of the Greensboro Sports Foundation, an organization he helped create in 2017. This career change was solely driven on Richard’s passion for sports tourism in Greensboro, and the economic impact it has on the community.
Richard is happily married to his wife, Susan, an executive at Old North State Trust. When he is not working, Richard enjoys spending time with his family - his daughter, Mary Grace and her fiance Gabe, his son, Thomas, his daughter-in-law, Rory, and his granddaughter, Merrill. Richard also enjoys traveling, live music, playing golf, and attending events at Tanger Center and First Horizon Coliseum.
“Greensboro’s future is bright. With the right leadership, we can enhance our quality of life, expand economic opportunities, and build a stronger community.”
--- Richard Beard, Jr.
A VISION FOR GREENSBORO
Anyone who knows Richard Beard knows of his passion and love for Greensboro. For years, he has worked to make his hometown a great place to LIVE, WORK & PLAY .
The city is experiencing significant success in building its “WORK” sector, with thousands of high-paying, high-tech jobs now established in the city and region. Now, it’s time to focus on the “LIVE” and “PLAY” aspects that impact every resident.
Greensboro deserves bold, forward-thinking leadership to unlock its full potential. Richard is committed to being a leader who champions accountability, responsiveness, and transparency—ensuring that city government works for everyone.
To move Greensboro forward, the city needs a strong, collaborative City Council that can build consensus, drive progress, and hold itself accountable to the people it serves. Richard is eager and ready to be that leader, helping to shape a more dynamic, inclusive, and prosperous future for Greensboro.
KEY ISSUES
Live
Prioritize public safety. Fund salaries, equipment, and training for our police officers, fire fighters, and first-responders. Support them and respect them. Enforce the laws, especially better traffic enforcement.
Support public-private partnerships to address affordable housing and housing availability. Cut through the red tape that is delaying successes in creation of affordable housing solutions.
Invest in our city’s infrastructure to support growth and renew neighborhoods with updated water, sewer, roads, sidewalks, and high-speed internet.
Work
Support quality job creation and economic growth in the city, support small businesses and the expansion of existing industries and commerce.
Reduce the red tape bureaucracy that continues to hold Greensboro back.
Advance workforce development initiatives to prepare our current and future workforce for increasing demand for job-ready workers.
Leverage sports tourism to drive economic growth by enhancing facilities, attracting major events, and increasing visitor spending in Greensboro.
Support strategic redevelopment projects to revitalize underutilized commercial areas and create new business opportunities.
Play
Prioritize and allocate funding toward creating a vibrant, safe and inviting downtown.
Champion new arts and entertainment initiatives to bring new life, energy and commerce to our downtown region.
Update and restore our Community Recreation Centers with modern amenities and features to better serve our citizens.
Collaborate with leadership from our schools and parks & recreation department to develop after-school programs to keep at-risk students off the street, out of local gangs and avoiding criminal mischief.
Repair and improve our existing recreational assets such as the Greensboro SportsPlex, Hester Park, Spencer Love Tennis Center, as well as neighborhood fields, basketball courts, and community swimming pools.
VOLUNTEER
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