Thomas DeLorenzo '84

August 2009

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Thomas DeLorenzo '84 has some pretty outrageous stories to tell, after nearly 15 years as an entertainment publicist in Los Angeles.  Because of his hard work and dedication, Thom is the person with the most nominated client list in Emmy history for an individual publicist, having four nominations at one Emmy® Awards ceremony alone.  Recently, DeLorenzo's client, Kathy Joosten, won an Emmy® for her work on Desperate Housewives, making it her second win. 

In 2006 The New York Times chose DeLorenzo as one of five "Unsung Heroes in the Battle Against HIV/AIDS" for his project benefiting the hospice clients of the San Antonio AIDS Foundation.  His profile ran in The New York Times World AIDS Day section.  In 2008 the San Antonio AIDS Foundation named him "Angel of the Year." In 2008 DeLorenzo expanded the project to include Joseph's House, an AIDS hospice in Washington, D.C., dedicated to serving homeless individuals with AIDS.

Using his PR work as a stepping stone, DeLorenzo was able to work with the Obama, Clinton, Kerry, and Gore campaigns.  In 2000 a personal and professional highlight for DeLorenzo was attending the Democratic National Convention as a guest of Vice President Gore and his family.

As a person living with AIDS himself, DeLorenzo has worked with and continues to work on behalf of a variety of AIDS organizations throughout the country.  Included on the list are AIDS Search Alliance, National Association of People with AIDS, Pets Are Wonderful Support/LA, Sacramento AIDS Foundation, Being Alive LA, Joseph's House, Gay Men's Health Crisis, Broadway Cares, and, his personal favorite, the San Antonio AIDS Foundation.  He was a guest columnist for POZ Magazine's political issue in October 2008.  DeLorenzo is also a regular columnist for HuffingtonPost.com, writing about health care from a person with AIDS' point of view. 

Thom DeLorenzo earned a B.A. in psychology from Hofstra University in 1984.  He attends Santa Monica College, taking course work to prepare him for graduate studies in political science.  Recently, DeLorenzo completed an independent study project on Russian NGOs that specialize in the rights of people with HIV/AIDS.  Some of DeLorenzo's current and former clients include two-time Emmy® winner Heather Tom, Nancy Sinatra, Nicholle Tom, Bree Williamson, Alison Mack, Chad Allen, Lyndsy Fonseca, David Tom, Jim Turner, Carter Oosterhouse, Cameron Romero, Batpack Studios, Ethnographic Media Group, Bacardi, Purina Fancy Feast, and Kathy Joosten.

In addition to working for his public relations clients, DeLorenzo is preparing to attend graduate school and is working on his first book about long-term AIDS survivors.