Peter Roussel (born c. 1942 in Texas)[1], is an American politician and government official.
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Roussel attended St. John's School in Houston, Texas. He then attended the University of Houston, graduating in 1965.[2]
Roussel began his career with the Federal Government in 1969 when he was asked to be press secretary 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.
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 University's department of mass communications, where he is also an instructor. [3]
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.[4] Jack Valenti, former president of the Motion Picture Association, said this about the book: "It's a superior piece of work, reeking of authenticity."[5]
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.