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Home My WebLink AboutReports - 2023.11.16 - 40738AGENDA ITEM: County Executive Appointment of Teresa Mask as Oakland County’s Department of Public Communications Director DEPARTMENT: Executive's Office MEETING: Board of Commissioners DATE: Thursday, November 16, 2023 9:30 AM - Click to View Agenda ITEM SUMMARY SHEET COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD Resolution #2023-3560 Motion to concur with the County Executive’s appointment of Teresa Mask as Oakland County's Department of Public Communications Director, pursuant to Public Act 139 of 1973. ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY Appointment Gary McGillivray INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: No Committee members can contact Michael Andrews, Policy and Fiscal Analysis Supervisor at 248.425.5572 or andrewsmb@oakgov.com, or the department contact persons listed for additional information. CONTACT Walt Herzig, Deputy County Executive I ITEM REVIEW TRACKING Aaron Snover, Board of Commissioners Created/Initiated - 11/16/2023 AGENDA DEADLINE: 11/16/2023 9:30 AM ATTACHMENTS 1.Letter from Executive - Teresa Mask 2.TeresaMask.Resume COMMITTEE TRACKING 2023-11-07 Legislative Affairs & Government Operations - Recommend to Board 2023-11-16 Full Board - Concur Motioned by: Commissioner Brendan Johnson Seconded by: Commissioner Penny Luebs Yes: David Woodward, Michael Spisz, Michael Gingell, Penny Luebs, Karen Joliat, Kristen Nelson, Christine Long, Robert Hoffman, Philip Weipert, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Marcia Gershenson, Janet Jackson, William Miller III, Yolanda Smith Charles, Brendan Johnson, Ajay Raman (17) No: None (0) Abstain: None (0) Absent: Charles Cavell (1) Passed OAKLAND COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAVID COULTER 2100 Pontiac Lake Rd | Executive Office Building 41W | Waterford, MI 48328 | tel (248) 858-0480 | fax (248) 452-9215 | OakGov.com November 3, 2023 Oakland County Board of Commissioners 1200 Court Tower Boulevard Pontiac, MI 48341 Dear Commissioners: I am pleased to announce my nomination of Teresa Mask as Oakland County’s Director of the Department of Public Communications. Ms. Mask is a highly respected communications professional whose background includes significant experience in message development, strategic planning, cross-departmental collaboration, and personnel management. She most recently worked for AT&T where she served in multiple positions, most recently leading a national team of communications managers in her position as Director, Communications and PR – Diversity & Inclusion/Corporate Social Responsibility. Ms. Mask spent a decade as a journalist, including as a reporter and editor for the Detroit Free Press , and as an editor for Patch.com. Her background in print and online journalism will further enhance the Department’s efforts to ensure that residents know about the important work being done on their behalf by county government. I am confident that Ms. Mask’s knowledge and talent will serve Oakland County well as she takes on this new role. Pursuant to PA 139 of 1973, I respectfully request your confirmation of this appointment, Sincerely, David Coulter Oakland County Executive TERESA MASK MEDIA RELATIONS LEADER Deliver Results Through Creative Media Strategies and Tactics Communications professional with broad experience in media relations, strategic PR executions and people management. Excellent spokesperson skilled at message development, with an eye on brand protection. Former Detroit Free Press editor and reporter who remains a passionate storyteller. Exceptional collaborator. Disciplined problem-solver who takes an energetic approach to challenges. Thrive in fast-paced environments with tight deadlines. Goes the extra mile to make things happen. Areas of expertise: −People Leader −Community Engagement −Diversity & Inclusion Champion −Cross-Functional Partnerships −Strategic Planning −Media Events −Issues Management/Crisis Comms −Public Relations PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AT&T 2013-Present Director, Communications & PR – Diversity & Inclusion/Corporate Social Responsibility Nov. 2020 - Present •Lead team of national communication and PR managers who amplify high-profile initiatives: helping close the digital divide and connecting to a sustainable future. •Play key role in editing executive blogs, press releases, media pitches and reactive messages to align with overall company strategy and brand reputation. •Build relationships with reporters and execute on strategic, proactive 360-degree communications plans. •Serve as spokesperson for proactive media opportunities. •Provide communication counsel to chief sustainability officer, chief diversity officer and other leaders. •Create media backgrounders, including talking points, key messages and crisis Q&A. •Promote and pitch timely diversity, equity and inclusion stories. •Communications partner, collaborating with multiple teams across the business to identify relevant and impactful storytelling opportunities. •Manage external agency partners and annual statement of work and budgets. Lead Communications & PR Manager – National Issues Management Jan. 2020 – Nov. 2020 •Managed national reactive media inquiries involving network outages and consumer issues. •Collaborated cross-functionally to investigate inquiries in a timely manner with the goal of preventing negative stories in the media. Prepared reactive statements, as needed. •Led support for mobility and entertainment consumer issues and escalated concerns to Office of the President for timely resolution and mitigation. Lead Communications & PR Manager – Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Feb. 2019 – Jan. 2020 •Promoted and pitched timely DEI stories to top-tier and other national diversity media outlets, including interviews with the Chief DEI Officer. •Ensured diversity messaging was timely and consistent with company’s global strategies/initiatives, executive communications and internal efforts within the company. •Worked with social media influencers and media outlets to promote sponsored content and events. Lead Communications & PR Manager – Michigan Spokesperson Sept. 2013 – Feb. 2019 •Served as sole company spokesperson in the state for proactive opportunities and reactive issues. •Excelled at proactive media placements, earning more than 40 hits monthly through TV appearances and online/print articles about AT&T’s people, products and services. •Led strategic development and tactical planning of media and public relations in Michigan. •Launched creative, external PR strategies and unique media pitches that garnered positive news coverage and customer sentiment, including recurring tech segments on TV stations throughout the state. •Media trained and coached market leaders, initiating media and event speaking opportunities. RELEVANT JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE Patch.com Nov. 2010 – Sept. 2013 Regional Editor •Part of nationwide team that helped develop and launch community news websites as part of AOL’s community journalism initiative. •Led a team of reporters creating content for 15 online news and information sites in Michigan. •Trained staff on key initiatives, including hyperlocal content, SEO best practices and crowdsourcing. •Responsible for budgets for sites and directing community marketing events, including brand promotion at local festivals. Detroit Free Press July 2003 – Nov. 2010 Assistant Metro Editor Aug. 2005 – Nov. 2010 •Led team of reporters who wrote stories focused on K-12 and higher education, health and religion. •Planned for and coordinated daily coverage of news and features. •Helped conceive and edit special projects, including the award-winning series “Fixing Michigan Schools” and coverage of Detroit Public Schools’ emergency financial manager. •Managed the Macomb County bureau from 2006 to 2008. Edited coverage of some of the fastest- growing communities in metro Detroit. Education Reporter July 2003 - July 2005 Wrote trend stories, including a front-page piece about a homecoming court prank on an overweight Novi High School student. The story was the basis for the Lifetime TV movie Queen Sized. VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS Butler University College of Communications Dean’s Advisory Board • Butler University Detroit Area Alumni Steering Committee • North Farmington High School Music Boosters • Warner Middle School PTSA • Forest Elementary PTA • Butler University Alumni Board of Directors AT&T Connection Awards • Farmington Area PTA Distinguished Service Award • The President’s Volunteer Service Award • Butler University’s Joseph R. Sweeney Alumni Service Award • Peter Lisagor Award for Excellence in Journalism EDUCATION B.A. in Journalism, Butler University, Indianapolis IN Named to Top 10 Outstanding Students list twice • Dean’s List • Editor, The Butler Collegian Resident Assistant • Black Student Union • President’s Student Advisory Council • Cross-Country