Michael Kapp Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, CA, US

• Provides expertise and guidance to senior executive management on strategy, the Board of Supervisors, intergovernmental relations, media, and public relations as Senior Advisor in D.A. George Gascón's administration
• Promoted to Senior Advisor after six months, after serving as Director of Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives
• As the youngest Director in the department, managed over a dozen Bureau of Communications staff in the Public Affairs, Social Media, Graphics, and Video Units

Los Angeles, CA, US

• Led Public Affairs within the Office of the Director for the LA County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS) during its multi-year transition into separate departments
• Directed all press/media efforts for LA County’s workforce and aging department during COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the new Aging and Disabilities Department
• Provides strategic guidance and other support as lead departmental liaison to the Board of Supervisors
• Manages and directs public affairs, media, and Board relations for the new Aging and Disabilities Department

• As senior staff, developed and implemented a comprehensive traditional and new media strategy for former Secretary of Labor and current top LA County official while managing team of communication professionals
• Responsible for leading all communications efforts, including internal and external communications, long-term strategy, rapid/emergency response, staff training, and partnering with important constituencies
• Generated and reviewed content for press materials, constituents, and online followers including op-eds, articles, speeches, social media, websites, newsletters, videos, and more

Los Angeles, CA, US

• Served as communication strategist and team coordinator, responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive media strategy
• Responsible for writing and editing press releases, speeches, statements, media advisories, employee newsletters, annual report, talking points, presentations, and other materials
• Managed and updated website and social media content
• Developed and implemented internal policy initiatives affecting the administration and operation of the department
• Reviewed communication policies and procedures; made recommendations to encourage effective communication with staff and County residents
• Planned, coordinated, and directed print and web-based publications including selecting and preparing material for brochures, handouts, and public information materials

• Responsible for the “Yes on 46” campaign, particularly communication efforts (including press releases)
• Conducted background and critical opposition research that was used for TV/radio advertisements, editorial board meetings, and supporting documents; was interviewed by press, including the Huffington Post

• Under severe time constraints, ran social media and website campaign for multi-million dollar Eric Garcetti for Mayor PAC
• Wrote winning legal arguments to keep PAC’s TV ads on the air through successful campaign

• Operated the campaign headquarters of the Stonewall Democratic Club (Los Angeles County’s largest LGBT Democratic club), focusing on “Yes on 30” and “No on 32” efforts in LA County
• Led phonebanking, GOTV, and other advocacy operations for club-endorsed LGBT-friendly candidates

• Managed a competitive California State Assembly race, fell short by less than 1% despite being outspent 7:1
• Directed campaign organization, scheduling, online presence, headquarters and field operations
• Collaborated daily with the candidate on speechwriting, voter outreach, and overall campaign strategy
• Supervised endorsement, fundraising and GOTV campaign by maximizing community participation and contributions through directed targeting and outreach using traditional and new media strategies

• Prepared dozens of legal and political memoranda for a senior Judiciary Committee member and his staff in preparation for committee hearings and mark-ups, judicial nominations, important legislation, and floor votes
• Drafted legal analyses on appellate and Supreme Court decisions, including the Court’s Citizens United decision that overturned much of the Senator’s most recognized legislative accomplishment
• Produced comprehensive legal research projects which were used to advise the Senator on vital national security interests while continuing to fulfill urgent assignments solicited by multiple higher-ranked staffers

• Advised staff with the preparation and drafting of legislation by refining bill proposals and formulating potential solutions by melding legal research and an understanding of public policy and political realities

• Provided logistical and other support to staffers, including writing constituent letters, in a Capitol Hill office
• Completed research projects for Foreign Affairs staffers and the Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Performed the Staff Assistant's duties during his temporary absence near the end of the internship

• Developed statistical analyses and methodologies to accurately pinpoint more than one million previously-unregistered African-American and Hispanic voters in a dozen battleground states prior to the 2008 elections
• Helped launch the resulting targeted voter registration drive which contributed to increased minority voter participation that played a significant role in congressional Republican defeats in the 2008 election cycle

• A volunteer, was quickly hired as paid staff, then promoted and granted sole management of events
• Closely worked with campaign staff to ensure that political goals and security concerns were met; devised plans to avert potential complications and actively responded to unanticipated situations during live events
• All events were conducted under strict time constraints and were covered by television and/or print media

• Used strong writing skills to create candidate introductory packets for voters and candidate biographies for organizations to win endorsements in successful campaign
• Organized and managed volunteer meet-and-greets with the candidate

• Used effective and persuasive verbal communication to personally raise more than $50,000 for presidential election fund and processed more than $500,000 from West Coast donors

J.D.

M.A., International Relations

B.A., Political Science