Joseph V. Trahan III, PH.D., APR, Fellow PRSA

Throughout his 32-year career, Dr. Joseph Trahan, known worldwide as "Dr. Joe," has served not only as a journalist and public relations professional at the local, state and federal levels, both civilian and military, but also as a coach, mentor, instructor and public speaker.

A native of New Orleans, Trahan is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army Reserve, and a former Commander of the 314th Public Affairs Operations Center. While in the armed forces, his accomplishments included the operation of four Joint Information Bureaus and one Joint Information Center involving such assignments as the Presidential Task Force Andrew, The National Boy Scout Jamboree and the 50th Anniversary of Operation Overlord (D-Day). Through his PR firm, Trahan now trains over 3,500 people yearly in PR and communication skills. In addition, he has taught at numerous educational institutions, including Tulane University, University of Southern Mississippi and Louisiana State University.

He is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, serving in such leadership roles as a member of its national board of directors and national PRSSA faculty advisor. Throughout the years, Trahan has received numerous awards and honors, including being inducted into PRSA’s College of Fellows.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Military History from Tulane University, a Master of Arts in Public Relations from Ball State University and a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Southern