Peter Roussel
Encyclopedia
Peter Roussel is an American
politician and government official.
, graduating in 1965.
to then U.S. Congressman George H. W. Bush
. When Bush subsequently served as U.S. Ambassador
to the United Nations
(1971-1973) and Chairman of the Republican National Committee
(1973-1974), Roussel continued to serve as Bush's press representative.
Roussel went on to serve two tours of duty in the White House, as Staff Assistant to President Ford
(1974-1976), then as Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary to President Reagan
(1981-1987).
In 1976 Roussel became a special assistant to President Ford's national campaign director, James A. Baker III
. After that he served as communications director for Baker's 1978 campaign for Attorney General of Texas.
's department of mass communications, where he is also an instructor.
He is the author of the White House-based novel, Ruffled Flourishes, published by Bright Sky Press. The novel is a satiric look at the daily travails of reporters covering the White House
, attempting to squeeze accurate information from presidential representatives. Jack Valenti
, former president of the Motion Picture Association, said this about the book: "It's a superior piece of work, reeking of authenticity."
Roussel has been a visiting lecturer at the University of Houston
, Houston Baptist University
and Texas A&M University
, where he has taught courses addressing press-presidency interactions.
In 1983 Roussel was named Distinguished Alumnus at the University of Houston.
In 1986 Roussel received the first Distinguished Communications Alumnus Award presented by the University of Houston.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and government official.
Education
Roussel attended St. John's School in Houston, Texas. He then attended the University of HoustonUniversity of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, graduating in 1965.
Career with Federal Government and national figures
Roussel began his career with the Federal Government in 1969 when he was asked to be press secretaryPress secretary
A press secretary or press officer is a senior advisor who provides advice on how to deal with the news media and, using news management techniques, helps their employer to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage....
to then U.S. Congressman George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
. When Bush subsequently served as U.S. Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
(1971-1973) and Chairman of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
(1973-1974), Roussel continued to serve as Bush's press representative.
Roussel went on to serve two tours of duty in the White House, as Staff Assistant to President Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
(1974-1976), then as Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary to President Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
(1981-1987).
In 1976 Roussel became a special assistant to President Ford's national campaign director, James A. Baker III
James Baker
James Addison Baker, III is an American attorney, politician and political advisor.Baker served as the Chief of Staff in President Ronald Reagan's first administration and in the final year of the administration of President George H. W. Bush...
. After that he served as communications director for Baker's 1978 campaign for Attorney General of Texas.
Post-government career
Roussel is now a public relations consultant, public speaker, author/columnist and television-radio commentator based in Houston, Texas. He is the Warner Chair for Sam Houston State UniversitySam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University was founded in 1879 and is the third oldest public institution of higher learning in the State of Texas. It is located in Huntsville, Texas. It is one of the oldest purpose-built institutions for the instruction of teachers west of the Mississippi River and the first...
's department of mass communications, where he is also an instructor.
He is the author of the White House-based novel, Ruffled Flourishes, published by Bright Sky Press. The novel is a satiric look at the daily travails of reporters covering the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, attempting to squeeze accurate information from presidential representatives. Jack Valenti
Jack Valenti
Jack Joseph Valenti was a long-time president of the Motion Picture Association of America. During his 38-year tenure in the MPAA, he created the MPAA film rating system, and he was generally regarded as one of the most influential pro-copyright lobbyists in the world...
, former president of the Motion Picture Association, said this about the book: "It's a superior piece of work, reeking of authenticity."
Roussel has been a visiting lecturer at the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, Houston Baptist University
Houston Baptist University
Houston Baptist University is a private Baptist institution founded in 1960. It is located in Greater Sharpstown in Houston, Texas near the Southwest Freeway.- History :...
and Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, where he has taught courses addressing press-presidency interactions.
In 1983 Roussel was named Distinguished Alumnus at the University of Houston.
In 1986 Roussel received the first Distinguished Communications Alumnus Award presented by the University of Houston.