Richard H. Griffiths

Richard H. Griffiths (born July 7, 1975 in Kempton Park, Republic of South Africa) is a nation branding expert and electric vehicle pioneer.

Family

Richard H. Griffiths is the second son of Ann and Graham Griffiths of Cheshire, England. Brother to Mark Steven Griffiths, a Canadian Forces specialist. Richard Griffiths was granted Canadian citizenship in 1985, thus making him a holder of three citizenships: Canadian, United Kingdom and South Africa. Mr. Griffiths has a son, Adrian Griffiths.

Early career

Patents and inventions 1999–2003

At 25 Mr. Griffiths returned to North America and based himself in New York, where he developed a software application for use in cinemas. The application was a key invention used in the development of computer kiosks within high traffic areas :http://www.wikipatents.com/CA-Patent-2325160/a-system--method-for-capturing-storing-and-communicating-a-plurality

A SYSTEM & METHOD FOR CAPTURING, STORING AND COMMUNICATING A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL MOVIE VIEWER'S CRITICAL OPINIONS (I.E. BOTH AUDIO AND VISUAL) ABOUT A SELECTED THEATRICAL MOVIE PRESENTATION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SAID MOVIE VIEWERS(S) HAVING VIEWED THE SAID THEATRICAL MOVIE PRESENTATION AND WHILE STILL WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE MOVIE THEATRE

The corporation eventually was sold and became a user portal called moviefly.

Griffiths was also successful in several other patents such as http://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/2393654/summary.html, the low tech application was adapted for use into many other market segments including applications for third world water development program.

Electric car: 2000–2010

Richard H. Griffiths, having earned experience in the financial market, focused on the development of the electric car industry, working as a founder and pioneer in the early stage lithium-electric market.

Electric smart car development

Griffiths created relationships with NASA and working with the alternative energy fleet at NASA created a Space Act Agreement for the development of electric cars within NASA and at Kennedy Space Center.

Griffiths, working with several manufactures, developed electric drive systems for the following vehicles:

• PT Cruiser
• ADVANCED UTV
• Mini Cooper

Griffiths was responsible for passing legislation allowing all electric vehicles to be used as New York city taxis. The project was the first of its kind and has paved the way for further development of fleet and public transport vehicles to use electric power electric taxi.

Griffiths continues to work as a leader in the electric vehicle industry and is currently working on projects with NASA and the United States federal government. Griffiths is currently working with EVCARCO, an early stage "hub" for alternative fuel vehicles based in Dallas, Texas.

International advisor

Developing world - Central and South America

Richard H. Griffiths, always an avid traveler, has also developed projects and programs in Mexico (Mexico City for the federal government as well as in the Yucatán Peninsula spending several years in Guatemala working on social projects with Peace Corps and several NGOs. Richard Griffiths developed a strong understanding of the Central American government system and well as the role of the United States Government and USAID Mr. Griffiths working as an advisor to the sitting governments of:

• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• Honduras
• Panama

Other nations

Mr. Griffiths continues to advise countries such as Tanzania and Libya on the public policy. Mr. Griffiths is currently advising several countries on Image and nation branding. His programs with the image of Colombia such as Initiatives are being taken for changing its image from a "[...]-based economy" to "Branding Colombia." The first part of the "Branding Colombia" series refers to using flowers to change people's perceptions.

On the Colombian Pride Day, November 17, last year, Colombian-Americans handed out over 100,000 Colombian roses to very grateful and yet, indeed, surprised New Yorkers. The act appears to have been a great success: not only was the target audience fully reached, but it also made national news in the United States. Therefore, millions of Americans were reached with a simple message: "Flowers make you smile, flowers brighten your day, and flowers come from Colombia." The program proved to be a great success, and got huge media coverage from the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and most of the network affiliates and international press.