John Castellani

President, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

(Courtesy of John Castellani)

Why He Matters

For a decade, Castellani was president of the Business Roundtable, an association for CEOs that the Financial Times has called "the most influential chief executive lobbying group in the U.S.." He was the person who brought the group to the forefront in Washington, D.C., and around the world.

But in July 2010, after the passage of landmark health-care reform ushered in by a Democratic Congress and President Obama that will have a major impact on the drug industry, Castellani was picked to replace ex-Rep. Billy Tauzin (D-La.) at PhRMA. Now, he'll have to use his clout in service to the health-care industry.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: President, Business Roundtable (since May 2001-July 2010); Executive vice president, Tenneco Inc. (1992-1999); vice president of state, federal and international government relations, TRW Inc. (1980-1992); vice president for resources and technology, National Association of Manufacturers (1977-1980); environmental scientist and strategic planner, General Electric (1972-1977).
Hometown: Skaneateles, N.Y.
Alma Mater: Union College (Schenectady, N.Y.), biology, 1972
Spouse: Terry Castellani

Religion: Roman Catholic
Office: 1717 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 872-1260.
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Path to Power

Castellani graduated from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and began his career as a research scientist at General Electric Co. After a U.S. energy crisis in the 1970s, the company detailed Castellani to the National Association of Manufacturers in Washington. He remained in the position for four years due to his strong interest in public policy and politics.

Castellani later became executive vice president at Tenneco Inc. and eventually joined the Business Roundtable as president in May 2001. He has headed the Roundtable's policy initiatives, including civil- justice reform, fiscal policy and trade expansion, and he regularly testifies before Congress.

The Issues

After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Castellani and members of the Roundtable discussed terrorism with Tom Ridge, director of domestic security and later the Department of Homeland Security, under President George W. Bush. As a result of the meeting, C.E.O. COM Link was created for emergencies -- a secure communication system between the Office of Homeland Security and the Roundtable.

In 2005, Castellani was a leader of the coalition working in support of Social Security reform and played a vital role in the congressional approval of the Central America Free Trade Agreement. Castellani and the Roundtable also helped organize the Partnership for Disaster Response, an organization that brings together private -ector resources for on-site relief after major natural disasters domestically and abroad.

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The Network

Castellani serves on the staff of the Roundtable along with 16 others, including Executive Director Larry Burton and Executive Director, External Relations Johanna Schneider.The executive committee of the Roundtable includes Ivan G. Seiden, chairman and CEO of Verizon Communications, as chairman; Edward B. Rust, Jr., chairman and CEO of State Farm Insurance Companies, as vice chair; and Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express Co., as vice chair.

Campaign Contributions

Castellani has donated money over the years to Republican organizations and candidates (34 out of 43 contributions listed since 2002), including the Congressional Majority Committee, Freedom Project, New Republican Majority Fund, Republican National Committee, Bluegrass Committee and Every Republican is Crucial PAC. In March 2007, Castellani donated $2,300 each to Mitt Romney (R-Mass.) and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopeher J. Dodd (D-Conn.). Castellani donated another $1,000 to Dodd in November 2008.

The Business Roundtable doesn't have a political action committee.

Additional Resources