Res Publica Group, a Chicago-based strategic communications firm, announced that Richard L. Rodriguez will be joining the firm as Senior Vice President. Rodriguez, 40, is currently Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Environment, where he has served since May 16, 2011. Rodriguez, an attorney, previously served as President of the Chicago Transit Authority, the nation’s second largest public transit system. Prior, he served as Commissioner for both the Department of Aviation, where he managed Chicago’s Airport System, and the Department of Buildings.

Rodriguez joins a talented team of professionals at Res Publica Group, which was founded nearly ten years ago and is now regarded as one of the top strategic communications firms in the Midwest. The firm works for private companies, non-profit organizations, and advocacy associations in a variety of industries, including healthcare, transportation, education, manufacturing, labor relations, and the visitor industry. Rodriguez will transition in early November. In his role, he will straddle organization, client and new business initiatives.