Pamela Zanelli, Associate

Pam Zanelli has extensive experience in managing public affairs, governmental relations, strategic communications, community outreach and special events for public sector institutions, elected officials, and the private sector. She previously served as the media director for an Orange County Supervisor, a member of Congress, State Senator and three members of the California State Assembly.
 
The Board of Trustees of the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) appointed Pam Zanelli to serve as its first Public Affairs Director. The District is comprised of two colleges and encompasses 26 cities and five school districts in south Orange County.  From 1997 to 2004, Pam managed an annual  $400,000 budget, the public relations staff of the district and colleges, all aspects of public affairs, public relations, community and governmental relations programs.
  
She represented the SOCCCD and managed the monthly meetings of the Orange County Community Colleges Legislative Task Force, where she worked with the county’s four community college districts to develop legislative agendas, served in an advocacy role in the development and monitoring of state and federal legislation, and conducted coalition-building and community outreach campaigns to generate support for the community colleges’ agenda from the public, as well as state and federal elected officials and local government.
 
Pam directed numerous special events, “Capitol Days” and other functions with legislators, boards of trustees, and administrators in Orange County, Sacramento, and Washington, D.C.  Pam created the first SOCCCD “Legislators Appreciation Day” to honor and recognize the achievements of state and federal elected officials.  She presented workshops on strategic communications and governmental relations for state, regional and national conventions.
 
Pam has provided media, public relations, marketing, direct mail, and advocacy services to clients.
 
Pam served the Orange County community as a volunteer on several boards and commissions.  She was appointed by the Santa Ana City Council to serve on the city Human Relations Commission; selected from 125 applicants by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to serve as a founding member of the Orange County Commission on the Status of Women; served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Orange County Fair Board of Directors (32nd Agricultural District).  Pam was honored for her service with a Lifetime Membership in the Western Fairs Association.
 
Pam Zanelli received her A.A. from Los Angeles City College, and attended California State University at Northridge before completing her B.A. in Journalism from Suffield University.