Richard (Van) VanOrnum specializes in building results-driven public affairs, stakeholder engagement and communication campaigns for domestic and international clients. Richard currently serves as a Director at APCO in the Los Angeles office, and a member of the corporate communication and issues management service group.
Richard possesses a diverse background in transportation, land use, energy, higher education, manufacturing and politics. His work includes the development of third-party engagement and earned media programs for a major transportation public-private partnership; leadership of Mid-Atlantic and New England media relations for one of the nation’s largest higher-education institutions; planning and supervision of an international stakeholder engagement program for a nonprofit organization fighting tuberculosis; and management of international communications and marketing programs for a major multinational manufacturer.
Prior to joining APCO, Richard served as independent marketing adviser for Captio Corporation, a start-up company specializing in innovative organizational supplies. Richard interned at Schwartz Communication and Arnold Worldwide, and served as research assistant for Gordon Marsden, MP for Blackpool South, in the British Parliament.
Richard graduated cum laude from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in communication and media studies.
