Joseph R. Cerrell

A prominent public affairs and political consultant, Joe Cerrell has worked professionally in politics for 44 years. In 1966, Joe founded and currently serves as chairman and CEO of Cerrell Associates Inc. (CAI). It is the 48th largest independent public relations firm in the United States, and the 6th largest firm based in Southern California.

During his career, Joe played key roles in the presidential campaigns of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Hubert H. Humphrey, Lloyd Bentsen, John Glenn and Albert Gore. He is chairman emeritus and past president of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) and past president of the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC).

Active in Italian-American organizations, Joe is president of the National Italian-American Foundation (NIAF); and was appointed to the California Italian American Task Force by former California Governor Pete Wilson.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, he completed 15 years as an adjunct professor with USC's prestigious Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics. Currently, he is a Distinguished Visiting Professor in Political Science at Pepperdine University (Malibu, California).

The New York City native is married with three children and five grandchildren.