Ballard Partners announcement of Michael LaRosa joining Washington office

Former LA Council Member Joe Buscaino Joins Ballard Partners

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– Buscaino, Former National League of Cities President, Named 

Managing Partner of Firm’s Los Angeles Office –

Joe Buscaino, former President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council, has joined Ballard Partners, one of the top government relations firms in the United States. Buscaino joins the firm as the Managing Partner of the firm’s recently established office in Los Angeles.

“Joe has had a distinguished career on the Los Angeles City Council for more than a decade and we are honored to have him lead our Los Angeles office,” said Brian Ballard, the firm’s President and Founder. “His expertise on issues across Los Angeles, his relationships throughout the Southern California region and his role as national municipal leader will be invaluable to our firm’s clients.”  

Buscaino has represented the Council’s 15th District since 2012. He served as the Chair of the City’s Trade, Travel and Tourism Committee. In that role he was responsible for oversight of the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest container port in the United States, LAX, the second busiest airport in the United States and the LA Tourism and Convention Board. 

In 2019, Buscaino was elected as President of the National League of Cities (NLC) which represents more than 2,000 cities, towns, and villages across the country. Since November 2020, he has served as NLC’s Past President. He is the President Emeritus of the Democratic Municipal Officials organization and served as a member of the Democratic National Committee from 2015 – 2018. Prior to his election to the City Council, Buscaino served for 15 years as a police officer in the Los Angeles Police Department and currently serves as an LAPD Reserve Officer. 

“With my public service now concluded, I couldn’t be happier to join Ballard Partners and lead its Los Angeles office,” said Buscaino. “The firm’s professionals are exceptional and its reach from Tel Aviv to Washington to Miami and places between is unparalleled.”

Buscaino graduated Cum Laude, with a BA in Communication from California State University – Dominguez Hills. Joe and his wife, Geralyn, an educator in the Los Angeles Unified School District, are raising their two children in San Pedro. Their children attend Los Angeles Unified schools.