John Richter has been the Director of Public Policy at MHANYS since January 2008. Mr. Richter joined MHANYS after spending over twenty years serving and advocating for the elderly and people with disabilities.

He spent 13 years in long term care policy with the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (NYAHSA) specializing in adult home, assisted living and home care issues. While at MHANYS, John was instrumental in the passage of legislation requiring that New York schools begin teaching about mental health, beginning in 2018, as part of the school health curriculum.

John received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook. He received his Masters Degree in Public Administration from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at SUNY Albany.

John lives in Albany with his wife Susan, a practicing Psychiatrist.