During the Special Awards Dinner at CAPIO’s Annual Conference, John Pope received the prestigious 2025 Paul B. Clark Achievement Award that recognizes change-makers who demonstrate exceptional leadership and career-long achievement in the field of public information through professional commitment.

In his current role as Public Information Manager for the City of Newport Beach, John serves as the city’s spokesperson while managing strategic and crisis communications, message development, media relations, social media, digital communications, email marketing, website content, and other public information duties.

“When I first joined CAPIO I quickly learned about the prestige and legacy of the Paul B. Clark award, and I was fortunate to count past winners as some of my mentors, colleagues and friends,” Pope said. “I am greatly humbled by this recognition from my peers, and I am proud to join those exceptional communicators who have received this special honor.”

Across his accomplished career, John has held senior-level communications roles at the Port of Long Beach, where he led communications efforts for major infrastructure projects such as the $1.5 billion Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement (now Long Beach International Gateway) and $1 billion Middle Harbor shipping terminal redevelopment; at the City of South Pasadena, where he established the first-ever communications strategic plan; and Long Beach City College, where he secured editorial endorsements from every major Long Beach media outlet to support passage of the $850 million Measure LB bond.

Prior to his communications roles, John worked as a Los Angeles Times correspondent for six years, where he participated in the publication’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Los Angeles riots, and as an editorial writer for the Long Beach Press-Telegram for five years, where he covered state, county and local government issues, public policy, education, and transportation.

“John has made significant contributions to the field of government communications,” said Christine Brainerd, APR, Communications Director, City of Folsom. “He has led public affairs initiatives, developed messaging strategies and played a key role in emergency communications, helping organizations navigate complex challenges and acting as a highly effective spokesperson.”

John’s track record of contributions to CAPIO is long and distinguished, including serving on the Board of Directors (2009-2011), as a “Mentor” in the Mentorship Program (2019), as CAPIO Conference Co-Host (2009), and as a regular speaker, workshop and event host since 2000. During his tenure on the board, he was a key member of the CAPIO branding committee, helping to update the association’s original decades-old brand, and provided guidance to key CAPIO policies.

John received CAPIO’s popular J. Lindsey Wolf Certificate in Communications (formerly J. Lindsey Wolf PIO Institute), which provides core communications courses focused on strategies and tactics to meet the evolving needs of members and keep pace with the ever‑changing communications landscape.

One of the most lauded communications professionals in the State of California, John has received dozens of national, state, and local awards for his work; most recently the OC PRSA PROTOS Award (first place) for the “Ride the Wave” water conservation campaign for the City of Newport Beach, 3CMA’s Savvy Award (first place) for the same campaign, and multiple CAPIO EPIC Awards for the City of Newport Beach’s multi-year recycling campaign. In 2011 he was awarded a proclamation from the Seal Beach City Council for his work in the aftermath of a mass shooting.

John earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from California State University, Long Beach and a Master of Arts degree in Communication and Media Studies from California State University, Fullerton. He completed two years of doctoral-level studies in Educational Leadership and Administration with National American University.

About CAPIO
CAPIO is the premier professional assocation for California’s government communicators, serving more than 1,200 professionals across the state.  For more information about CAPIO, visit www.capio.org.