Joe Householder

Joe Householder is a consultant at Purple Strategies. In October 2009, Householder identified himself as the Executive Director of the Coalition for Chemical Safety, a front group created for the chemical industry.

Coalition for Chemical Safety Director
Following queries raised by Richard Denison, a staff scientist with Environmental Defense, over who was behind the Coalition for Chemical Safety, Householder outed himself. "I am the Executive Director of the Coalition for Chemical Safety. Thank you very much for referencing us in your post today. It is an organization that has yet to formally launch but as you’ve pointed out it is an organization with a growing and diverse membership. Although you do not list it, I will confirm up front that another member of the organization is the American Chemistry Council. ... We are reaching out to businesses, labor groups, industry associations, consumer organizations and environmental organizations in hopes of building a consensus toward a reform that accomplishes these aims. We would, in fact, be honored if you and your organization considered joining us."

Background
Between December 2004 and May 2009 Householder worked with Public Strategies. A biographical note states that "prior to that he was communications director for U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, successfully navigating the challenging media climates of both Washington, D.C. and New York. Previously, Householder was director of public affairs for Varoga Rice & Shalett, a Houston-based public-policy firm, and served as communications director for the successful re-election campaign of Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson."

"Householder also worked as media-relations manager for the Vinson & Elkins law firm, where he helped raise the firm’s profile and provided assistance to both its attorneys and clients. During his tenure there, the firm allowed Householder a one-month leave of absence in order to act as press secretary for Houston Mayor Lee Brown during a contentious runoff re-election. Householder’s work was successful and high-profile; his assistance at that critical time during the campaign is still remembered among Houston political circles. Householder began his career as a market-climbing broadcast reporter. He worked in Birmingham, Alabama and Orlando, Florida, before reaching a ten-year stint at Houston’s powerhouse radio news channel, KTRH. Householder rose through the ranks at KTRH to become assistant news director, and was well-regarded for his work as a genuinely fair and knowledgeable radio reporter for the station," his biographical profile states.

Related SourceWatch resources

 * Public Strategies, Inc.