Joel Strom

Joel L. Strom, D.D.S., M.S., Fellow at the Jess Unruh Institute of Politics at USC, is the author of the soon-to-be-released Learn to Lead: Becoming the Best Political Leader You Can Be. The book is a compilation of lessons he has learned from his numerous State grassroots leadership positions, including but not limited to:

• Senior Political and Health Care Advisor, Carly Fiorina for US Senate
• State Co-Chair for Rudy Giuliani for President
• RNC Delegate/Alternate Delegate/Whip/Spokesperson
• General Chair, Phil Kurzner for Insurance Commissioner
• State Coalitions Chair for Bill Jones for US Senate
• State Volunteer Chair, Bill Simon for Governor
• President and Founding Member, Republican Jewish Coalition, Los Angeles Chapter
• State Volunteer Chair, George W. Bush for President

As State Co-chair for Rudy Giuliani, he worked with Executive Director, Brent Lowder, to create a novel grassroots fundraising model that became the top donor team in California.

Dr. Strom co-founded, Dept 7 Productions, a full service political media company. Department 7 combines Madison Avenue advertising talent with the genius of Hollywood to create award-winning productions such as their 2010 Gold Medal Pollie award-winning David Zucker spoof ad, “Call Me Senator.”

Additionally, he is one of 7 founding members of the National Board for Docs 4 Patient Care, a national organization of health care professionals united to help protect the doctor-patient relationship and reform our nation’s health care system.

He is a regular speaker, focus-group participant and panelist on a wide variety of political topics and lectures widely including his political leadership course at USC Pharmacy School.

After receiving his DDS degree from UOP School of Dentistry, Dr. Strom completed an NIH Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Columbia University Medical School where he also received an MS in Human Nutrition in 1981. Dr. Strom’s intense interest in health care politics was kindled when he was asked to organize a Congressional hearing on health care reform in 1982 by the late-Congressman, James Scheuer (D-Queens).

Upon returning to Los Angeles, he began his involvement in health care politics, serving as Legislative Chair for the Western Los Angeles Dental Society, served as President of the Society, before being named to the Council on Legislation at the California Dental Association.

Governor Pete Wilson appointed him to the California State Dental Board in 1991 where he was elected President in 1997. Governor Wilson also appointed him to the Student Aid Commission, where he crafted language to begin a loan repayment program for health care workers who agreed to work in underserved areas and helped develop regulations for California’s Golden State Scholarshare Program.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed him to the California Science Center Board of Directors and he is presently serving his second term as a member of that Board. During his term as Chairman, he spearheaded the successful effort to obtain nearly $8,000,000 in Community Redevelopment Agency funds to allow for Exposition Park improvements.

Lastly, Dr. Strom has the utmost respect for our nations veterans and founded Dentistry United for WWII and Disabled Vets, a program designed to provide free dental services for our most valued citizens, our veterans. He has provided approximately $150,000 of charitable dental services for WWII and disabled vets.

He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, a consultant pharmacist and expert witness, Holly and their 19?]year?]old daughter, Natalie, a sophomore at USC.