Newhouse School of Communications

Michael Meath
Adjunct, PR
Public_Relations

M.S. Syracuse University
B.S. SUNY Empire State College
A.A.S. SUNY Onondaga Community College

Office: Newhouse 1 Rm. 517
Telephone: (315) 443-1378
Email: mfmeath@syr.edu

Michael Meath is an adjunct professor in public relations at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, where he has taught PRL 497, Public Relations Management; PRL 725, Public Relations Management; PRL 325, Public Relations Campaigns, and PRL 530 Special Topics in Crisis Communications.  He also teaches in Syracuse University’s collaborative executive master’s degree program in communications management at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, and is a guest lecturer at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.

Michael has a master’s degree in communications management from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and a bachelor’s degree in business management & economics from the State University of New York.  He serves on a Newhouse School advisory committee for the executive master’s degree in communications management.

As the founder and president of Strategic Communications, LLC Michael brings to the classroom insight gained from nearly thirty years of experience in corporate management.  Outside of the classroom, he works comfortably with organization leaders to help them develop effective messages that are communicated at the right time – whether during a crisis, a significant marketplace shift, or a strategic plan rollout.  His company provides public relations, crisis communications, government relations, strategic planning, and issues management consulting to energy, healthcare, government, education, manufacturing, industrial design, financial services and insurance organizations throughout the U.S.  

Prior to starting his own business, Michael served as vice president of business development and public affairs for Agway Energy Products.  He managed all public relations, legislative, regulatory, legal, and communications issues for the company’s 2,300 employees and 500,000 customers.  He also served as Agway’s corporate director of health and safety and director of government and regulatory affairs.  Before joining Agway, Michael held leadership roles in the healthcare and insurance industries.  

Michael has been a registered lobbyist in New York, Pennsylvania, and at the federal level.  He has served on several state and national policy-making committees including a term as chairman of the Retail Energy Policy Committee for the National Energy Marketers Association in Washington, D.C.  He has published numerous articles, testimony, and position papers on a wide variety of issues, and represents a variety of organizations in over 100 media interviews, talk shows, and appearances each year.

Michael has served on the board of trustees for the Public Broadcasting Council of Central New York (CNY) and the board of directors for Leadership Greater Syracuse.  He is a former president of the board of directors for the Food Bank of CNY as well as the board of trustees for the Safety Council of CNY, and a former director of Countryside Federal Credit Union.  In addition, he previously worked in a leadership role with the American Red Cross in providing disaster relief services during emergencies and crises.  He is married to Susan Elliott Meath and is the proud father of Ryan, Colin, and Katie.

Expertise:

• Communication Theories of Public Relations
• Crisis Communications
• Ethics, Public Relations
• Internal Communications/PR
• Issues Management
• Media Relations
• Strategic Planning