Richard Mereu, JD
Chief Government Relations Officer
Emergency Nurses Association
Washington, DC

Richard Mereu, JD, is the Chief Government Relations Officer for the Emergency Nurses Association, a 44,000-member trade association based in Chicago. As the head of ENA’s Washington D.C. office, Richard is responsible for all federal and state government relations and public policy activities.

Since joining ENA in January 2013, Richard has advocated on behalf of legislation to address the opioids crisis, upgrade our nation’s trauma care system, ensure emergency departments and EMS agencies are properly equipped to treat children, and combat violence directed at health care workers in hospitals. He has also worked to ensure that Congress provides sufficient funding for important health care programs through its annual appropriations process.

Under Richard’s leadership, ENA won the top annual award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its response to the Ebola crisis and the ASAE’s Gold Circle Award for the passage of important legislation to ensure that emergency medical professionals can administer lifesaving treatments to patients without delay.

Prior to joining ENA, Richard worked in the U.S. Congress for nineteen years, including eleven years as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for former Representative Elton Gallegly.  He also served as the Staff Director to two subcommittees of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Counsel on the Judiciary Committee.

During his tenure, over 27 bills were enacted into law and over $140 million in funding was obtained for programs and projects that benefitted the Congressman’s congressional district. He was responsible for passing legislation related to enhancing retirement security, prosecuting crimes involving DNA technology, improving railroad safety, strengthening border security and expanding the number of countries in NATO.

In addition, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, Richard was appointed as the Staff Director of the newly created Subcommittee on International Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Human Rights. In this position, he oversaw the first Congressional hearing of the 9/11 Commission and drafted legislation that was enacted into law that aimed at strengthening U.S. counter-terrorism laws. Richard also managed over 40 subcommittee hearings and legislative markups.

He has served as a faculty member at American University’s School of Public Affairs and as a guest lecturer at Georgetown University’s Government Affairs Institute and for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Richard also serves on the ASAE’s Public Policy Committee and is on the Board of Directors of the House Chiefs of Staffs Alumni Association.

Mr. Mereu earned his undergraduate degree at Colgate University and J.D. from Albany Law School.

In his spare time, Richard enjoys traveling and skiing with his family, running, tennis and reading history.