Open to opportunities

Richard Kuhns

@richardkuhns

Message

I’m an executive recruiter and leadership coach who helps public-sector teams hire with clarity and impact.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to help public-sector and mission-driven teams hire exceptional leaders, using data-driven recruitment, stakeholder alignment, and coaching that builds performance and accountability.

I’m a seasoned Executive Recruiter and executive/leadership coach with 27+ years of public-sector leadership, including roles as a County Administrative Officer and an Executive Director. I bring strategic sourcing, stakeholder management, and recruitment process optimization to help organizations make confident, high-impact hiring decisions.

In my current work, I lead full-cycle executive recruitment—resume review, ranking, interviewing, advertising, and onboarding—while advising hiring teams on talent forecasting and recruitment strategy. I facilitate boards and councils through public job hearings and community stakeholder meetings to ensure alignment and transparency throughout the process.

Previously, I served as a Behavioral Health Consultant and Interim Director, developing policies and state-mandated programs for rural jurisdictions. I also supervised recruitment and onboarding of clinical staff and coached leaders on team assessments, strengthening both capability and accountability.

Earlier in my career, I oversaw major county operations and budgets, led multi-department hiring and evaluations, and managed compliance-driven initiatives. I’m also a Certified Professional Life Coach, guiding individuals and organizations through goal setting, decision-making, stress management, and action planning—so results are measurable and sustainable.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Professional Life Coach

Current

Wade Wellness Institute

Jan 2025 - Present (1 year 6 months)

Provided executive and personal life coaching focused on goal setting, accountability, and progress tracking. Supported clients with time management, stress resilience, communication, and action planning.

Goal Setting Achievement Strategies Time Management Productivity Improvement Stress Management Resiliency Executive Coaching Action Planning Active Listening Motivation And Mindset Coaching Progress Track Professional Development Leadership Coaching Communication Interpersonal Skills

Current

Executive Recruiter

Current

Prothman Executive Recruiting

Jan 2022 - Present (4 years 6 months)

Recruited executive-level candidates by managing resume review, ranking, interviewing, advertising, and stakeholder engagement. Advised local government and public-sector boards on talent forecasting and recruitment strategy and facilitated public job hearings and community stakeholder meetings.

Full Cycle Recruiting Resume Review Candidate Ranking Interviewing Advertising Stakeholder Engagement Recruitment Strategy Public Job Hearings Full cycle Recruitment Hiring Forecasts Public Job Hearings Facilitation

Behavioral Health Consultant

Prentice & Long

Jan 2022 - Jan 2024 (2 years)

Served as a behavioral health consultant and interim director supporting jurisdictions represented by the law firm. Developed state-mandated programs for rural counties, supervised recruitment and onboarding of clinical staff, and coached leaders on team assessments.

Behavioral Health Consulting Policy Development Rural Program Support Assessments Rural County Program Support Onboarding Leadership Coaching

County Administrative Officer

Trinity County

Jan 2017 - Jan 2022 (5 years)

Oversaw county administration including budget management, hiring and supervision of department heads, and performance evaluations. Led committees on budgeting and safety and managed HR-related budgeting and process compliance for a large workforce.

Budget Oversight Capital Project Oversight Performance Management HR & Administration Process Compliance Hiring HR Processes Stakeholder Management Team Leadership FTE Management

Executive Director, Housing Authority

Shasta Region

Jan 2006 - Jan 2017 (11 years)

Served as executive director for a five-county regional housing authority and participated in continuum of care governance. Managed federal/state grants and compliance and facilitated partnerships with agencies to support housing and workforce initiatives.