Rafael Bermudez

 

Rafael has worked in the communications field since earning a degree in journalism from Loyola University of New Orleans in 1969. Following graduation  he was recruited by United Press International and soon named UPI’s capitol bureau manager in Baton Rouge. Due in part to his fluency in Spanish, he was next appointed Bureau Chief for South America working out of the UPI office in Bogota, Colombia. In 1978 he returned to Baton Rouge to head the capitol bureau of the Baton Rouge Advocate and State-Times newspapers.

 

In 1979, U.S. Senator Russell B. Long invited Rafael to serve as his press secretary in Washington D.C. to which the title and responsibilities of executive assistant were later added. Rafael left Senator Long's staff in 1984 to form Rafael Bermúdez & Associates Public Relations.

 

Rafael has directed scores of public relations programs wide range of clients at the local, state and national levels. They include major national and international industries, as well as associations, governmental agencies and political campaigns.

 

He is active in several civic, professional and education-oriented organizations and he has received numerous professional honors and awards.

 

In 2009, Rafael merged his public relations agency with Cranch-Hardy & Associates.