Board Of Directors

Barbara Richardson

Brand USA Board Member

Barbara Richardson is the chief of external relations of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro), the nation's second largest transit system. Ms. Richardson's transportation career spans more than 25 years with much of it in public affairs, board management, branding, marketing, communications, and strategic planning.

A member of Metro's Executive Management Team, Ms. Richardson leads the agency's external relations strategies with key stakeholders, including public officials, government agencies, business organizations, civic groups, customers, and the media. She serves as management's liaison to Metro's 16-member Board of Directors, and oversees government relations, public relations, research, marketing and advertising, and customer service initiatives.

Ms. Richardson joined Washington Metro in 2010 as the Assistant General Manager for Customer Service, Communications and Marketing, where she led a number of initiatives, including the interior design of Metro's new railcars, an expanded customer research program, the introduction of social media and the launch of Metro Forward, a campaign that told the story of the rebuilding of Metro.

Prior to joining Metro and being a marketing consultant, Ms. Richardson was with Amtrak for 12 years, where she served as vice president for marketing and sales; chief of staff; vice president of marketing and communications for the Northeast Corridor; and senior director of communications of the Northeast Corridor.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Richardson also served as Director of Public Affairs for the Federal Railroad Administration, Director of Communications for the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and Director of Public Information for the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.

Ms. Richardson is also actively involved in the national travel industry, and regional business community. Appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Ms. Richardson was previously the Chairman of Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States. She is a past National Chair of the U.S. Travel Association and a member of the Destination DC Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board, the Washington Board of Trade's Transportation and Land Use Committee, and the Women's Transportation Seminar.