Michael Milstein
West Linn,OR
Summary
Communications leader with extensive experience in strategic communication, media relations, and compelling writing and editing. Known for developing public affairs strategies and strengthening media relationships. Thrive in in high-pressure situations, formulating strategic messages and coordinating interagency efforts under tight deadlines. Successfully promoted natural resources policies and agency visibility through media engagement and public outreach.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Public Affairs Officer
NOAA Fisheries
Portland, OR
07.2014 - Current
- Top West Coast spokesperson for NOAA Fisheries, leading public communications and media relations on sustainable fisheries decisions, marine conservation issues, and coastal recreation.
- Direct team that designs and maintains agency website, engages social media audience, and develops communications products from interpretive signs to agency reports.
- Use network of regional and national media contacts to promote agency polices and accomplishments and seek support from editorial boards.
- Coordinate strategic messaging across West Coast offices on contentious issues such as sea lion predation on endangered salmon, developing communications plans and recommending strategies to regional leadership and national headquarters.
- Develop, coach, and prepare leadership and staff for media interviews, public presentations, and other public affairs strategies.
- Manage crisis communications through timely responses and strategic messaging for strandings, law enforcement actions, and other rapidly evolving situations.
- Research, write, edit and distribute press releases, articles, and newsletters that highlight research and translate complex science that supports agency policies and regulations.
Communications Manager
Bonneville Power Administration
Portland, OR
08.2009 - 07.2014
- Directed policy communications team including media relations and policy writing that advanced environmental stewardship, sustainable energy, and economic development for leading source of hydroelectric energy in the Pacific Northwest.
- Coached, trained, and supervised staff at all skill levels in communications strategy including media relations, writing, and employee communications.
- Often sought out to lead special communications projects including a thoroughly-researched report to motivate change at the region's only nuclear plant and a full-color, narrative history and related events to mark the agency's 125th anniversary.
- Advised leadership on media and communications strategy to promote agency policies in interviews and speaking engagements. Accompanied leadership in key meetings such as with editorial boards, guiding and supporting conversation as needed.
- Selected to lead interagency communications team that developed and coordinated strategy highlighting multiple uses of the Columbia River and federal endangered species protections and policy, which often drew intense media coverage.
- Fostered employee engagement and morale through employee communications spotlighting key successes and promoting staff innovation and initiative in achieving program goals.
Environment/Science Reporter
The Oregonian
Portland, OR
09.2000 - 07.2009
- Led environment and science coverage for Oregon's largest daily newspaper, gaining front-page attention for critical natural resource issues including fish and wildlife, water and forest management, public lands, and recreation including state and national park policy and protection.
- Built and maintained trusted network of sources across agencies, interest groups, and farms and fishing fleets often affected by policy changes and decisions such as endangered species protection.
- Employed multimedia reporting tools including audio and video to capture key interviews, activities and breaking news events, collaborating with colleagues to produce complementary text, audio and video coverage, often under tight deadlines.
- Won support from editors for ambitious coverage of emerging environmental issues, including reporting trips to Norway for coverage of salmon farming that increasingly competed with Oregon's salmon fleet, and to Greenland for emerging signs of climate change.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Public Policy And History
Duke University
Durham, NC05-1988
Some College (No Degree) - Fellowship in Environmental Journalism
University of Colorado
Boulder, COSkills
- media relations
- crisis communications
- Strategic communications
- Speech writing
- Writing and editing
- Problem-solving
- Social media management
- Executive messaging
- Community relations
References
References available upon request.
Accomplishments
NOAA Administrator's Award, 2016
Timeline
Senior Public Affairs Officer
NOAA Fisheries
07.2014 - Current
Communications Manager
Bonneville Power Administration
08.2009 - 07.2014
Environment/Science Reporter
The Oregonian
09.2000 - 07.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Public Policy And History
Duke University
Some College (No Degree) - Fellowship in Environmental Journalism
University of Colorado