Scott Mcconnell Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Served as press secretary and currently as Public Affairs Advisor for the lead cybersecurity agency for the federal civilian government, promoting CISA priorities, policies and programs to national media, regional media, and trade publications targeted toward cybersecurity and critical infrastructure executives and security experts.Led agency’s communications efforts surrounding the response to the SolarWinds breach, Microsoft Exchange vulnerability, and other cyber incidents.Led media engagement surrounding successful efforts to pass legislation that transformed an office within Homeland Security headquarters (NPPD) into a full-fledged cybersecurity agency (CISA), and helped design and execute the public rollout of CISA.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Coordinated media relations and served as spokesperson for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity and infrastructure protection branch.Supported the efforts of DHS’ Election Task Force, which brings the interagency together to coordinate federal support of state and local election officials to improve the cybersecurity of their systems.Conducted wide-ranging media engagements at the national and state levels before, during and after the 2018 midterm elections. This included organizing press conferences with NPPD leadership and state and local officials in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, California, Iowa, Missouri, Maryland, Virginia West Virginia and Rhode Island, often on the day of the state's primary election, to inform voters of the cybersecurity measures in place and combat any misinformation.Led efforts to build relationships with communications professionals throughout the election community, including the National Association of Secretaries of State, the National Association of State Election Directors, and Secretary of State offices around the country. Participated in a webinar for state officials about best practices in media outreach and response on Election Day.Supported the department’s response efforts to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, in particular the communication and coordination with critical infrastructure entities in the affected areas.Regularly briefed senior leadership on issues, developing stories, and communications strategies.Coordinated with the Office of Legislative Affairs to ensure messaging and outreach are synchronized across the media, Congress, and the public.Helped organize the DHS National Cybersecurity Summit in July 2018, bringing together more than 300 government and industry executives to establish tangible commitments in supply chain security and risk management, with nearly 50 national and trade media outlets in attendance.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Managed media relations for a wide-ranging portfolio, including cybersecurity, infrastructure security, the Office of Health Affairs, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Countering Violent Extremism program.Oversaw transition of the above portfolio to the incoming administration, briefing incoming appointees on issues, and working with a small handful of career civil servants to ensure a smooth transition of the department’s media operations.Led a concentrated, proactive effort in the months leading up to the 2016 presidential election to both encourage state and local governments to work with DHS to secure their systems while simultaneously reassuring the American public of the integrity of the nation’s upcoming election.Served as DHS’ point person for all election-related questions from the media before, during and after Election Day, working with every major network, print outlet and wire service to provide the latest information and real-time updates.Coordinated strategic communications and media efforts around a number of significant cybersecurity initiatives and responses, including:•The release of the Department’s Strategic Principles for Securing the Internet of Things;•Secretary Johnson’s announcement of the designation of the nation’s electoral systems as critical infrastructure;•The release of the DHS-FBI Joint Analysis Report on Grizzly Steppe Russian Malicious Cyber Activity, and subsequent questions surrounding its efficacy;•Various cybersecurity breaches, including the WannaCry ransomware campaign that affected governments and industry around the globe.Coordinated DHS’ public responses to Government Accountability Office and Inspector General reports, ensuring a consistent and accurate message across multiple DHS branches and agencies.

Coordinate media relations for all four NPPD subcomponents – the Offices of Cybersecurity and Communications, Infrastructure Protection, Biometric Identity Management, and the Federal Protective Service.Develop and execute crisis communications strategies, including related to cybersecurity breaches of government and private sector systems.Work as part of a team developing long- and short-term strategic communication plans in support of a Presidential Executive Order to integrate physical and cyber infrastructure security efforts across the federal government.Coordinate the development of polices that enhance NPPD’s external and internal communications capabilities, including the use of social media and public affairs outreach.Support strategic planning of public outreach campaigns encouraging public vigilance and online safety.

Coordinated with legislative, intergovernmental, private sector, and issue-specific liaisons to respond strategically to media inquiries and to generate positive media coverage of FEMA initiatives and activities.Prepped and staffed FEMA leadership for interviews, speeches, Congressional hearings, field visits to disasters, and other events.Helped design and implement strategic communication plans for FEMA components including the U.S. Fire Administration, National Flood Insurance Program, Ready campaign, and Grant Programs Directorate.

Led strategic communication and messaging efforts for the Office of the Federal Coordinator to highlight the Obama Administration’s rebuilding efforts and initiatives in the Gulf Coast.Designed and executed local and national media outreach plan surrounding Hurricane Katrina anniversary events and September 11th anniversary service activities in New Orleans.

Provided strategic council, developed materials, and designed earned media events in targeted states to garner support for health insurance reform efforts.Pitched interviews, stories and earned media events to print and television reporters on a variety of issues.

Developed and executed earned media events in the Johnstown/Altoona media market.Coordinated with Field Directors to amplify press coverage of field and Get Out The Vote activities.Staffed top level surrogates on tours throughout Western Pennsylvania and Ohio, briefing surrogates, handling press inquiries, and coordinating with site staff.

Pitched interviews, stories and earned media events to print and television reporters in media markets around Michigan.Developed briefing materials for high-profile campaign surrogates visiting the state.

Served as primary media contact and on-the-record spokesperson for gubernatorial campaign of Delaware Lieutenant Governor John Carney.In coordination with Campaign Manager, Field Director, and Research Director, developed and implemented communications plan and strategy.Briefed and staffed Lt. Gov. Carney for debates, interviews, press conferences, and campaign events.Managed campaign web outreach, including content and design of website, mass email messages, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.

Conducted media relations for a wide variety of organizations and issue campaigns surrounding legislation.

Drafted and disseminated communications products for the reelection campaign of U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.)

Doctor Of Law (J.D.)

B.A., Political Science

Education record