John J. Castellani
Encyclopedia
John Castellani is an American public relations executive. He currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
He is well known for his work as head of the Business Roundtable
, an important business group in the United States.
Jeffrey Kindler, the chairman of Pfizer and of PhRMA, when commenting on Castellani's move from the Business Roundtable
to PhRMA , said, “John is the gold standard, and I’m extremely pleased that he will lead our team."
Mr. Castellani succeeded Billy Tauzin
, a former Republican congressman from Louisiana.
, an association of CEOs of leading U.S. corporations with a combined workforce of nearly 12 million employees and $6 trillion in annual revenues. The Business Roundtable was cited by The Financial Times as "the most influential chief executive lobbying group in the U.S." Mr. Castellani served at the Business Roundtable from May 2001 to July 2010.
Under Mr. Castellani, the Roundtable played an important role in the adoption of tort reform legislation in 2005, approval of the Central America Free Trade Agreement, and passage of legislation to lower income tax rates and cut taxes on dividends and capital gains in 2003. He also was a leader of the coalition working for Social Security reform, the “Divided We Fail” partnership formed to urge legislation on health care reform and retirement security, and other initiatives to keep the United States competitive and a global hub of innovation.
When leading the Roundtable Castellani worked against most important Democratic legislative efforts, including the health-care overhaul. But he was careful not make enemies. "During the health-care debate, some of the larger business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . . . kept on attacking and attacking and really seemed to have partisan overtones," said Ron Pollack, president of Families USA, a group that strongly supported healthcare reform. "John distinguished himself as somebody who would try to be objective and thoughtful. . . . I think he will be a cooperative partner in the process of getting health reform implemented."
Inc. from 1992 to 1999 and part of the senior management team that led the transformation of the ailing conglomerate into seven strong companies.
Mr. Castellani served as Vice President of State, Federal and International Government Relations for TRW, a major defense contractor, from 1980-1992 and as. Vice President for Resources and Technology with the National Association of Manufacturers from 1977 to 1980.
He started his career at General Electric
in 1972 as an environmental scientist and strategic planner and left the company in 1977.
’s “Meet the Press
,” PBS’ “The NewsHour
with Jim Lehrer
,” Fox News Channel’s “Special Report,” and CNBC
’s “Street Signs.”
in Schenectady, New York, Mr. Castellani now serves on its board of trustees. He is also an Ethics Resource Center
Executive Fellow and a member of the Advisory Council of the Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics in addition to being a member of The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.
Castellani has served on the Connecticut Governor's Prevention Task Force as vice chair, on the board of directors of Keep America Beautiful
, and on the U.S. Olympic Committee. He was president of the Business Government Relations Council and chair of the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
, New York and is a Roman Catholic. He is married to the former Therese Ann Mulroy. They have two sons. Castellani is a graduate of Union College
in Schenectady, New York.He majored in biology and graduated in 1972.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America , founded in 1958, is a trade group representing the pharmaceutical research and biopharmaceutical companies in the United States. PhRMA's stated mission is advocacy for public policies that encourage the discovery of new medicines for patients...
He is well known for his work as head of the Business Roundtable
Business Roundtable
The Business Roundtable is a politically conservative group of chief executive officers of major U.S. corporations formed to promote pro-business public policy.-History:...
, an important business group in the United States.
PhRMA
As President and CEO, Mr. Castellani leads an organization that represents America’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which employ more than 600,000 men and women nationwide working to develop and market new medicines, surgical procedures, medical devices, and hospital equipment. Castellani has promised that PhRMA will continue to support healthcare reform efforts in the United States and abroad. Specifically, PhRMA will focus on helping to successfully implement and improve the health reform legislation passed in 2010 under President Obama with a particular emphasis on rewarding innovation.Jeffrey Kindler, the chairman of Pfizer and of PhRMA, when commenting on Castellani's move from the Business Roundtable
Business Roundtable
The Business Roundtable is a politically conservative group of chief executive officers of major U.S. corporations formed to promote pro-business public policy.-History:...
to PhRMA , said, “John is the gold standard, and I’m extremely pleased that he will lead our team."
Mr. Castellani succeeded Billy Tauzin
Billy Tauzin
Wilbert Joseph Tauzin II , usually known as Billy Tauzin, American lobbyist and politician of Cajun descent, was President and CEO of PhRMA, a pharmaceutical company lobby group...
, a former Republican congressman from Louisiana.
The Business Roundtable
Before joining PhRMA, Mr. Castellani was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Business RoundtableBusiness Roundtable
The Business Roundtable is a politically conservative group of chief executive officers of major U.S. corporations formed to promote pro-business public policy.-History:...
, an association of CEOs of leading U.S. corporations with a combined workforce of nearly 12 million employees and $6 trillion in annual revenues. The Business Roundtable was cited by The Financial Times as "the most influential chief executive lobbying group in the U.S." Mr. Castellani served at the Business Roundtable from May 2001 to July 2010.
Under Mr. Castellani, the Roundtable played an important role in the adoption of tort reform legislation in 2005, approval of the Central America Free Trade Agreement, and passage of legislation to lower income tax rates and cut taxes on dividends and capital gains in 2003. He also was a leader of the coalition working for Social Security reform, the “Divided We Fail” partnership formed to urge legislation on health care reform and retirement security, and other initiatives to keep the United States competitive and a global hub of innovation.
When leading the Roundtable Castellani worked against most important Democratic legislative efforts, including the health-care overhaul. But he was careful not make enemies. "During the health-care debate, some of the larger business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . . . kept on attacking and attacking and really seemed to have partisan overtones," said Ron Pollack, president of Families USA, a group that strongly supported healthcare reform. "John distinguished himself as somebody who would try to be objective and thoughtful. . . . I think he will be a cooperative partner in the process of getting health reform implemented."
Previous career
Prior to becoming President of Business Roundtable, Mr. Castellani was Executive Vice President of TennecoTenneco
Tenneco is a $6.2 billion Fortune 500 company that has been publicly traded on the NYSE since November 5, 1999 under the symbol TEN...
Inc. from 1992 to 1999 and part of the senior management team that led the transformation of the ailing conglomerate into seven strong companies.
Mr. Castellani served as Vice President of State, Federal and International Government Relations for TRW, a major defense contractor, from 1980-1992 and as. Vice President for Resources and Technology with the National Association of Manufacturers from 1977 to 1980.
He started his career at General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
in 1972 as an environmental scientist and strategic planner and left the company in 1977.
Media appearances
Mr. Castellani is regularly invited to be a guest on TV news programs such as NBCNBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
’s “Meet the Press
Meet the Press
Meet the Press is a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC. It is the longest-running television series in American broadcasting history, despite bearing little resemblance to the original format of the program seen in its television debut on November 6, 1947. It has been...
,” PBS’ “The NewsHour
Newshour
Newshour is BBC World Service's flagship international news and current affairs programme, which broadcasts twice daily: at 1400 and 2100 each edition lasting one hour. It consists of news bulletins on the hour and half hour, international interviews and in-depth reports of world news...
with Jim Lehrer
Jim Lehrer
James Charles "Jim" Lehrer is an American journalist and the executive editor and former news anchor for PBS NewsHour on PBS, known for his role as a frequent debate moderator during elections...
,” Fox News Channel’s “Special Report,” and CNBC
CNBC
CNBC is a satellite and cable television business news channel in the U.S., owned and operated by NBCUniversal. The network and its international spinoffs cover business headlines and provide live coverage of financial markets. The combined reach of CNBC and its siblings is 390 million viewers...
’s “Street Signs.”
Non-profit work and community service
A graduate of Union CollegeUnion College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in Schenectady, New York, Mr. Castellani now serves on its board of trustees. He is also an Ethics Resource Center
Ethics Resource Center
The Ethics Resource Center is a non-profit research organization based in Arlington, Virginia, United States, that is devoted to the advancement of high ethical standards and practices in public and private institutions. ERC is said to be the oldest U.S. organization devoted to this purpose and is...
Executive Fellow and a member of the Advisory Council of the Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics in addition to being a member of The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.
Castellani has served on the Connecticut Governor's Prevention Task Force as vice chair, on the board of directors of Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful is a U.S. based nonprofit organization founded in 1953. It is the largest community improvement organization in the United States, with approximately 589 affiliate organizations and more than 1,000 community organizations that participate in their programs.Keep America...
, and on the U.S. Olympic Committee. He was president of the Business Government Relations Council and chair of the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Personal life
Castellani is originally from SkaneatelesSkaneateles
Skaneateles may refer to, in the United States:* Skaneateles , New York, in Onondaga County* Skaneateles , New York, in Onondaga County* Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in New York State...
, New York and is a Roman Catholic. He is married to the former Therese Ann Mulroy. They have two sons. Castellani is a graduate of Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in Schenectady, New York.He majored in biology and graduated in 1972.