João Vale de Almeida joined the European Commission in 1982 as Deputy Head of the EC Representation in Lisbon, after spending seven years as a journalist. From 1989 to 1992, he served as Spokesman of the Commissioners Cardoso e Cunha and Abel Matutes. From 1992 to 1994, he was Head of the Press Unit in the Economic and Social Committee of the European Communities. Between 1995 and 1997, he served as Deputy Spokesman of the European Commission, Deputy Head of the Spokesman's Service, and Spokesman of Commissioner Pinheiro. From 1998 to 1999, he was Director in the DG for Information, Communication, Culture and Audiovisual, and from 1999 to 2000, principal adviser to the Director-General for Education and Culture.