MATTHEW D. NERZIG

505-***-****

adrygf@r.postjobfree.com

** ***** ** ********* ************** and public affairs experience in government, politics, and policy - including with the Clinton Administration, United Nations, Congress, unions and PR agencies, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, LANL & LBNL

LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY, Berkeley, CA (6/21-Present)

Media Relations Lead

Support the CCO in building and strengthening all aspects of the Lab’s media relations function, including strategic planning, staff mentoring, media training, prepping and staffing media interactions, media monitoring and metrics, liaison with DOE and reporting.

GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM, Santa Fe, NM (9/20-6/21)

Deputy Director of Communications & Media Strategy

Lead and help execute pro-active media across all state agencies with special focus on COVID vaccine distribution, school re-openings, pandemic relief and economic recovery.

LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY, Los Alamos, NM (2013-2020)

Director of Communications & Public Affairs

Transformed the Lab’s media relations team into a high-performing, pro-active unit, leading to a quadrupling in national science coverage over the last four years.

Introduced a strategic content planning process to better prioritize and balance corporate messaging, raising employee and manager engagement 40% across the Lab’s workforce of 12k on all internal communications channels.

Raised the profile of Lab leadership and scientists through the aggressive placement of Op-eds and columns. Secured positive editorial coverage for the Lab director with the state’s two largest daily newspapers for the first time in ten years.

Trained senior officials in emergency and crisis management communications. Cut negative press stories in half in 2019.

Promoted in 2016 to oversee a $10 million,100-plus employee communications operation, and drive strategic goal setting, organizational structure, staffing and budgets as well as manage key relationships with board members, corporate partners and primary customers.

MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, CITY OF NEW YORK, New York, NY

Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs, NYC Department of Corrections (2012-2013)

Reporting to the Commissioner and the Mayor’s Office, directed all public relations for the DOC, including media relations and issue management regarding Riker’s Island.

SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION, New York, NY

Director of Communications, Local 32BJ (2004–2012)

Revamped and expanded media relations and public affairs positioning for a 120k

member union in nine states– one of the country’s largest private sector locals.

Doubled media coverage in each of the first 6 years, including drafting and

placing of dozens of op-eds in traditional and online media outlets.

Developed winning earned and paid media strategies on issue, political &

contract campaigns. Leveraged Twitter to engage press.

Convened a series of poverty forums for Presidential candidates, including

Obama & Clinton, to raise union’s profile in politics & with anti-poverty groups.

PUBLIC RELATIONS & GOVERNMENT CONSULTANT, Washington, DC (2001–2003)

Served as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Karen McCarthy, overseeing transition from Kansas City to DC-based operation, including reputation management, strengthening office operations and managing 17 staff in two cities.

Advised USAID projects in Montenegro & Egypt on creating multi-faceted public information campaigns. Worked with government officials, local groups & vendors.

Served as senior vice president for Fenton Communications, providing media and communications strategy and managing small agency teams.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Washington, DC (1999–2001)

Office of Public Affairs, Deputy Director (SES)

Oversaw media relations, including Secretary Richardson’s electricity deregulation initiative and helping California cope with power outages. Attended emergency meetings with California Gov. Davis and energy company CEOs.

Led strategic communications planning for announcing multi-million dollar contracts, national laboratories, nuclear energy and national security – including government, stakeholder, media and public notification.

Accompanied Secretary on official trips, co-managed staff of thirty-five.

U.S. REP. DARLENE HOOLEY (D-OR), Washington, DC (1999)

Communications Director. Devised issue-oriented media strategy on taxes, environment.

Loaned to House Minority Leader Gephardt for projects, including party switch by NY Rep. Forbes.

PHIL MALOOF FOR CONGRESS, Albuquerque, NM (1998)

Press Secretary. Pro-actively advanced environmental campaign. Prepped candidate for TV, speeches, debates & interviews. Cut 20-point deficit to less than 5 by Election Day.

UNITED NATIONS, Zagreb, New York and Washington (1987-1995)

Spokesman, UN PROTECTION FORCE (UNPROFOR), Zagreb, Croatia

Managed and executed day-to-day media relations for UN’s largest peacekeeping operation, including twice-weekly press briefings for the international press corps.

Led ad hoc and impromptu news briefings throughout the region as developments warranted, drafting and delivering statements and travelling with UN envoy for former Yugoslavia.

Associate Spokesman, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL, NY & DC

Assisted Secretary-General’s Spokesman in all facets of media relations, including daily press briefings for international press corps. Prepared talking points and op-eds for Secretary-General. Tracked Security Council actions, including sanctions against Iraq & Yugoslavia. Spokesman for commission on compensating Kuwaiti victims of Iraq war.

Reported on Foreign Aid & State Department appropriations bills in Congress.

EDUCATION

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, School of Public and International Affairs

Master of Public and International Affairs, 1985

--Graduate Teaching Assistant, Columbia College “History and Science of the Nuclear Arms Race”

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Ann Arbor, MI -- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 1983

--Intern, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – Vienna, Austria

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