Profiles: Witnesses | Back to Witnesses List
Dawson, Brennan
US Fact Witness
Ms. Dawson began working for Defendant, The Tobacco Institute, Inc., as an Assistant to President Samuel Chilcote in 1986. Prior to her employment by the Tobacco Institute, Dawson had spent five years working on social policy issues, as a political appointee of the Reagan Administration and an assistant to Margaret Heckler, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. During her career with the tobacco industry, Dawson has served in the following positions:
- 1986-1990 Assistant to the President of the Tobacco Institute
- 1990-1992 Director of Media Relations
- 1992-1994 Vice President of Public Affairs Division
- 1994-1996 Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Division
- 1997-present Brown & Williamson Vice President of External Affairs
Since 2001, Dawson has been a member of the Council for Tobacco Research ("CTR") Board of Directors, representing Brown & Williamson. During her tenure with the Tobacco Institute, Dawson was involved in virtually all of its public statements and public relations activities on behalf of the industry. She played an instrumental role in the Tobacco Institute's coordination, along with Defendants' public relations personnel and other representatives, of the industry positions denying the adverse health effects of smoking (including environmental tobacco smoke), the addictiveness of nicotine, and the industry's marketing to youth. Dawson helped organize the Tobacco Institute "Truth Squad" media tours and the scientific witness team that wrote articles and op-eds denying the link between ETS exposure and disease.
Notes:
formerly Brennan Moran through 1988
Source: United States' Factual Memorandum Pursuant to Order #470, Section V (tab 1)