John Brannelly likes to get things going. As the regional director of corporate relations for the American Cancer Society, he is in charge of getting large businesses to provide their employees with wellness programs that help lead to cancer-free lives.

As co-chair of the Public Relations Society of America’s Public Service Committee, he resurrected Power Hours, a program offering pro bono public relations planning for nonprofits. As vice president of development for the San Diego Democratic Club, he plans club events in collaboration with Diversionary Theatre.

Brannelly’s duties with the Cancer Society involve organizing fund-raising events, which include the San Diego Invitational at Del Mar Country Club golf tournament, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk and Daffodil Days. “These are vehicles to get people involved,” he says. “It is about engaging companies and getting access to employees to create awareness.” His efforts have been so successful that corporate sponsorship for the golf tournament has nearly doubled and it sold out two months before the event. Brannelly, 37, gives credit to the “great people” he works with.

Politics is a passion he retired from. “I come from a political family, he says. By age 23 he held a City Council office in Bridgeport, Conn., where he is from. “It is important to be involved and engage in the political process,” he says. “Those that aren’t shouldn’t complain.” It’s a good thing he likes and understands politics as he was selected by the American Cancer Society to be legislative ambassador in Washington, D.C.

For recreation, Brannelly is a member of Front Runners & Walkers San Diego, and the beach is his place to unwind.