About Us
Leadership
Al Lay - Founder & Chair
“The Center Must Hold”… These four simple words capture the principal purpose behind the creation of Clear & Present Strategic Solutions. Al Lay has devoted over four decades of his life studying and analyzing the connections between National Security, Governmental Affairs, Geopolitics, U.S. & World Military History and Sociopolitical Psychology. His expertise continues to be sought out by a growing number of political and governmental figures. This lifelong focus was first introduced and nurtured at the young age of seven by his military historian and psychologist Father on the one hand, and by his Uncle, a WWII Veteran Lt. Colonel, on the other. This early education cultivated, in Lay, a deep appreciation for core American Values and those of the Free World, while also leading him to investigate the complex psychological forces that drive human behavior. By continually analyzing and researching key events throughout history, Lay came to understand that extreme positions are nothing short of extremely dangerous. This conclusion made him aware of the potential threats and pitfalls of competing forces. Lay’s warning comes at a time when our Country is divided unlike ever before and the threat of Domestic Violent Extremism is steadily growing. Clear & Present Strategic Solutions was born out of the need to defend the “Central Pillars of Our Democracy” against destructive radical forces by developing actionable solutions to not just reestablish Pragmatism, but to make it vital again.
Richard Henrich - Co Founder & Vice Chair
A dot-com entrepreneur since the 90’s when dial-up was fast, Henrich, is an Emmy & Telly Award-winning producer, director, writer, and film professor (Institute of American Indian Arts, The George Washington University), and serves as Vice President of Business Development and Production for a digital marketing agency he co-founded with offices in Los Angeles.
Henrich has worked in management and executive positions in Tourism, Conventions and Trade Shows, Cultural Travel, Festivals & Events as well as Destination Development. He has a passion for Economic Development through tourism and the arts and serves on the Advisory Board for several arts organizations. Henrich has also served as an advisor, consultant and campaign manager in the political arena where early seeds were planted that helped shape the mission for CPSS. He enjoys travel, live music and helping people succeed.
Scott Houston - Co Founder & Vice Chair
Scott Houston is an elected member of the Board of Directors of West Basin Municipal Water District representing Division 4 that includes portions of the Westside and South Bay areas of Los Angeles County. Director Houston also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Southern California Water Coalition and previously served on the Consumer Affairs Advisory Commission of the County of Los Angeles.
As a policymaker, Director Houston has spoken at numerous conferences, both international and domestic, about the challenges facing our global water supplies and future water security in the midst of climate change. He has authored articles on topics that include leadership in California water governance; water safety in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic; and the increased public acceptance of recycled water to meet future water supply needs.
Director Houston’s professional background includes management experience in communications and manufacturing. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University and studied broadcast journalism at UCLA.
