Academics
- Meet the Faculty

Academics

Meet the Faculty

Photo of J. Curtis Mack II, M.A.

J. Curtis Mack II, M.A.
Adjunct Faculty, International Relations
President, Los Angeles World Affairs Council

Office: School of Public Policy (SPP)
Phone: (213) 628-2333
Fax: (213) 628-1057

M.A., International Relations, University of Southern California
M.P.A., University of Southern California
A.B., University of Southern California
B.S., Political Science, University of Southern California

J. Curtis Mack, II, assumed the position of president of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council on March 19, 1988. As such, Mack is the chief operating officer of the nonprofit, nonpartisan citizens' organization that serves as a major forum for discussion of international issues. The 9,000 member Council sponsors up to 50 meetings a year at which heads of state, diplomats, religious leaders, scientists, and national political figures address topics of importance on the international scene. Speakers have ranged from Bill Clinton to F.W. de Klerk, from Margaret Thatcher to Jesse Jackson, from Sir Edmund Hillary to Prince Charles, from David Rockefeller to King Hussein.

Prior to becoming president of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, Mack served as the assistant secretary of commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere in Washington D.C. from 1985 until 1988. He was the chief operating officer of the commerce department's largest bureau, the 13,000 employee National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). At NOAA, with it's $1,25 billion annual budget, Mack provided policy guidance and determined technical program content and budget for all of the bureau's components, including the National Weather Service, the National Ocean Service, and the nation's seventh uniformed service, the NOAA Commissioned Corps.

Mack's government service also included representing the United States at numerous international conferences and meetings, and being appointed by President Reagan to the President's Commission on White House Fellowships. He also served on the board of governors of the National Space Club in 1987-88.

Prior to his Washington assignment, Mack was the executive director of Citizens for the Republic, President Reagan's national political committee and was vice president and director of the educational, nonprofit New American Foundation. A native of Los Angeles, he served on the board of directors of the Brentwood Bank of California.

Mack earned a bachelors degree in political science, and masters' degrees in public administration and international relations from the University of Southern California. He is retired from the United States Air Force Reserve, where he held the rank of colonel.