Richard Franco

Richard Franco is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Phoenix Union High School District (PXU) and has served in this role since July 2019. Mr. Franco oversees the marketing and communications efforts for the District, including social media, the PXU website, public events, and partnerships with media outlets. Prior to serving in PXU, he was hired as the first Director of Public Relations for the Florence Unified School District in 2012. Mr. Franco began his career in education as a social studies teacher in Globe, Arizona after earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in History in 2009 from Arizona State University. Following a successful five-year teaching career, he left the classroom after earning a Master of Education in Secondary Education Leadership from Arizona State.

An active member of the school public relations community, Richard has served in several leadership roles within the Arizona School Public Relations Association, including the position of President in 2020-2021. A proud product of Arizona’s public school system, Mr. Franco knows the potential of the students. As a first-generation college student, he supports pathways for all students to live their dream of pursuing college, career, and life goals.