Mike Koentop is the Chief of Staff for the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM). He is responsible for providing guidance to OREM’s executive leadership and strategic counsel on program activities that enhance the organization’s operations. He also plays a key role in coordinating and interacting with key stakeholders.
Mike began his career with the U.S. Department of Energy in January 2007 as a public affairs specialist with its Oak Ridge Office. In that role, he was the senior public affairs professional responsible for providing counsel to senior management on all public and internal communications issues, developing communications strategies and policies, and leading the execution of communications programs and campaigns. He was the primary spokesperson for the agency and served as a key member of the organization's emergency response organization.
Prior to his DOE career, Mike was the director of public affairs for the Western Regional Office for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service in San Francisco, California. In addition to executive communications duties, he was responsible for planning and executing all protocol aspects for visits of high ranking officials to the region that included eight states and the islands of Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
Mike served in the United States Army as a journalist and public affairs specialist, completing assignments in Japan, Haiti, Bosnia, and locations in the United States. He is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and public relations. He is also a graduate of the Defense Information School and the University of Maryland University College.
Mike lives in Oak Ridge, Tenn. with his son, Gavin.