Richard Longtin. (Red Deer Polytechnic)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Richard Longtin

RDP announces new leadership team member

Dec 14, 2021 | 1:01 PM

Officials with Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) have announced the newest member of their leadership team.

Jim Brinkhurst, Interim President, has announced Richard Longtin as the new vice president external relations at Red Deer Polytechnic. Longtin will oversee the areas of government relations, marketing and communications, alumni relations, and fund development at RDP. Officials say he is anticipated to be an important leadership connection for the Alumni Association and the Foundation.

Longtin is currently the director of government relations at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where he has also recently served as the interim associate vice-president external relations.

RDP officials say Longtin is bringing a comprehensive set of professional skills to central Alberta that includes expertise in government relations at all levels of government, as well as demonstrated results leading philanthropy, and major gifts and legacy giving within a post-secondary environment. During the last eight years at Lakehead University, Longtin has raised more than $40 Million.

Prior to this, RDP officials note that Longtin led other units at Lakehead University, including Alumni Relations and the Student Union. He has worked for elected officials on Parliament Hill and Queen’s Park (in Ontario), such as cabinet ministers and members of the official opposition. He has also managed successful campaigns in both federal and provincial elections by leading the strategy and operations of the campaign, along with managing hundreds of volunteers.

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Longtin holds undergraduate degrees in History and Political Science and a Master of Education from Lakehead University. He is currently finishing a PhD in Leadership, Higher and Adult Education at the University of Toronto. He also holds the certified fundraising professional designation (CFRE). Being passionate about giving back to the communities where he lives, Longtin currently serves as a board member with multiple organizations including the Royal Ontario Museum, Thunder Bay Museum, and the Haldimand War Memorial Hospital.

“We are very pleased that Richard has chosen to join us in this new role, and we are excited to welcome him to the city of Red Deer and the surrounding region,” says Jim Brinkhurst, Interim President. “He brings progressive and demonstrated skill and experience within the post-secondary sector when it comes to fund development, alumni and government relations. He will provide critical leadership to maintain and grow strong connections within our community and beyond.”

RDP officials say Longtin looks forward to beginning this role on Jan. 17, 2022, so that he can put his talents to work, and collaborate with the team members he’ll lead and colleagues across the institution.

“I’d like to thank Red Deer Polytechnic for this great privilege and responsibility,” says Longtin. “Education transforms lives and communities. It opens doors, it pushes boundaries, it raises individual potential and the well-being of society.”

“Red Deer Polytechnic is much more than a post-secondary institution; it is an economic development agency and a community pillar,” he continues. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with, and build on, the incredible work that has already been done by staff, alumni, donors, students, faculty, the community and government partners to expand educational access and opportunities.”

Longtin is said to be relocating to Red Deer in January and will be joined in the spring by his partner, Elizabeth.