Watson

Joseph Watson, Jr. is the inaugural Carolyn Caudell Tieger Professor of Public Affairs Communications at Grady College. In this role, Watson oversees the first program in the nation to provide students with practical training in the strategy and practice of public affairs communications focused on public policy and politics.

Watson brings 20 years of experience in public affairs, campaigns and communications to Grady College. He served as an appointee in the Administration of President George W. Bush where he led the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s domestic policy office. Professor Watson also worked on Capitol Hill, serving as Legislative Director and Legislative Counsel to former U.S. Senator Peter G. Fitzgerald of Illinois.

Prior to joining the faculty of Grady College, Professor Watson established and led the public affairs communications group for Exelon Corporation, a Fortune 100 company. At Exelon, he managed award-winning public advocacy campaigns that successfully raised public and policymaker awareness of the value of nuclear energy, culminating in the enactment of unprecedented new legislation and rules promoting nuclear energy in Illinois and New York. Prior to leading Exelon’s Public Advocacy group, he managed federal government affairs for the company in Washington, D.C.

View Curriculum Vitae

Education

J.D., Law, Harvard Law School
B.A., Political Science, Bradley University