Vice President Social Media
Resume:
MICHAEL J. ENGLAND
CAREER HISTORY
Communications Officer
National Science Foundation
August 2019 – Present
Alexandria, VA
• Builds and executes innovative and comprehensive communications strategies for the United States Antarctic Program, NSF Arctic Research Program and NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships that align with National Science Foundation’s vision, values, and objectives.
• Develops overarching storytelling frameworks that leverage reports and research, events, executive thought leadership, media moments, and the global calendar to tell the unique stories of the National Science Foundation.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to the leadership team on communication matters, including internal and external messaging, ensuring alignment and effective execution.
• Provides strategic direction for the content, structure, and functionality of digital assets, including websites, podcasts, and social media.
• Manages crisis communications for issues that are controversial and/or of significant public or Congressional interest such as sexual harassment, COVID-19, and misappropriation of public funds.
• Monitors and analyzes the effectiveness of communication strategies, making data-driven improvements to enhance outcomes and drive continuous improvement.
• Led the communications efforts associated with the launch of several new programs and initiatives, including NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines, National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes and National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource.
• Coordinated with several Fortune 500 companies such as Micron, Intel, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, and Samsung on communication campaigns announcing partnerships with NSF.
• Cultivates relationships with trade and mainstream media to shape accurate and timely coverage of NSF perspectives and activity on issues related to science and engineering.
• Serves as a principal spokesperson to the media.
• Leads, develops, engages and mentors a team of professional staff, with varying levels of experience.
• Directs communications team members, meeting with each regularly to assess project status and resource needs and ensure appropriate workload distribution. West Springfield, VA
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Deputy Chief of Public Affairs
Bureau of Reclamation
July 2018 – August 2019
Washington, D.C.
• Performed the full range of supervisory duties. Served as Chief of Public Affairs alter-ego. Planned day-to- day, annual, and long-term work and the national program. Developed performance standards, mentored, trained, and evaluated the work of subordinates. Was responsible for budgeting of funds and allocation of resources.
• Served as Reclamation’s liaison with the Department’s Office of Communications and established and maintained effective lines of communication between Reclamation and the White House, Congress, State, Tribal and local officials, and counterparts at public and private organizations.
• Liaised with the Department of Interior’s Office of Communications. Maintained effective lines of communications with White House, Office of the Secretary, other Department bureaus and other Departments.
• Served as the principal spokesperson to local, national, and international media.
• Coordinated press conferences, media availabilities, and other significant press events to announce major bureau initiatives or policy changes.
• Served as the principal speechwriter for the Commissioner and other senior officials.
• Devised communication and media plans to announce bureau policy changes or operations that significantly impacted the public.
• Proactively pitched good news stories about agency policies, programs, or operations to the media to raise public recognition of the bureau and its activities.
• Provided leadership and guidance to the regional office public affairs specialists concerning bureau procedures on responding to requests.
• Managed a public relations program involving issues that are controversial and/or of significant public or Congressional interest.
National Spokesman
Transportation Security Administration
July 2015 – July 2018
Arlington, VA
I joined the Transportation Security Administration at the height of a major scandal involving the agency’s effectiveness that immediately put my crisis communications skills to the test. Since then, I’ve developed and implemented communications plans that have earned TSA significant national media attention, including the New York Times, ABC News, NBC News, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CBS News, and others. In addition, I’ve piloted more than 100 press events across the country and deftly represented TSA to the national media.
Accomplishments:
• Planned and executed dozens of proactive, positive stories with national news outlets including The New York Times, ABC News, NBC News, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CBS News, The Associated Press, NPR, and The Hill.
• Developed and implemented communications plans for several controversial issues.
• Conducted more than 100 press events in media markets across the country.
• Successfully pitched interviews and story ideas to national media, organized press conferences and oversaw dozens of successful media campaigns.
• Drafted and coordinated strategic plans, talking points and public affairs guidance.
• Managed press at Congressional hearings when senior TSA officials testify.
• Conducted interview prep and staffed interviews with senior TSA officials. Supervising Public Affairs Specialist
Federal Railroad Administration
October 2011 – July 2015
Washington, D.C.
I was initially recruited to the Federal Railroad Administration to work on the agency’s new High Speed Rail Program. While the program itself was ultimately unsuccessful, many of the media events I created and managed obtained significant positive media coverage despite major headwinds. As that program began to wind down, a rash of major oil train derailments swept the country. I successfully managed crisis communications for many of these incidents, effectively controlling, shaping, and disseminating information and avoiding long-lasting reputational damage.
Accomplishments:
• Prepared top-level officials for radio and/or television appearances or other news media interviews.
• Created and managed high-profile press events that obtained significant media coverage.
• Planned and managed internal and external stakeholder relations events for conferences, symposiums, and roundtable events throughout the country.
• Effectively managed crisis communications associated with major train derailments.
• Worked with several editorial columnists on editorials that portrayed FRA safety initiatives in a positive light.
• Served as FRA’s official spokesman at several town hall meetings throughout the country. Many of the meetings involved controversial, high-profile projects. EDUCATION
• Harvard Kennedy School, Leading Through the Changing Media Landscape – 2024
• Columbia College, Bachelor of Arts, Communications – 2006
• Defense Information School, Joint Senior Public Affairs Course – 2015
• Defense Information School, Joint Intermediate Public Affairs Course – 2011
• Defense Information School, Joint Basic Public Affairs Course - 2003
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