Richard J. Killion

Rich Killion is the vice president for advancement & strategy at Beacon College. In his role as chief strategic development and external relations officer, he provides strategic vision and oversight for the department primarily responsible for fundraising, external relations, communications, and the conduct of the college’s comprehensive capital campaign.

Prior to joining Beacon, Killion co-founded and served as managing partner of Elevare Communications for 16 years. At the Concord, NH public affairs firm, he counseled CEOs, chairpersons, and other C-suite leadership on strategic communications, government relations and community engagement. Rich managed a myriad number of statewide campaigns and initiatives; including serving as a general consultant to Senate President Chuck Morse and as senior New Hampshire strategist for the presidential primary campaigns of Governors Jeb Bush, Mitt Romney, and Tim Pawlenty.

Killion also boasts a lengthy background in higher education. At Franklin Pierce University, he served in a number of leadership roles in fundraising and public relations, including the successful oversight of the college’s first capital campaign.

Previously, Rich was appointed by Governor Sununu to serve on the board of trustees for the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) – where he was Chair of Governance and a member of the Executive Committee. Killion also served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.

Rich is dedicated to the social mobility of Florida residents and the economic development of the state. He serves on the board of trustees for the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation, on the Investor Committee for the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP), is Beacon’s representative with Lake 100 and Leesburg Partnership, and is a graduate of the 100th class of Leadership Orlando.

Killion earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stonehill College and holds a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University.