pdf version | April 16, 2008
Board names Mark Mickelsen, UEA director of communications and public relations
The Utah Education Association has named Mark Mickelsen as its new executive director. Mickelsen is currently the director of communications and public relations for the organization. He has been a UniServ Director for both the Jordan and Northern regions of the UEA. Prior to that, Mickelsen was a lobbyist for the Utah Public Employees’ Association and a field representative for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
While director of communications at the UEA, Mickelsen has been recognized for his many innovative programs including the development of the UEA Business Partnership Board, which partners businesses with UEA projects; the “No Excuses! Invest in Public Schools” public relations and community outreach campaigns; and the design and implementation of award-winning programs that encourage children to read, including “It’s an Up Thing to Read,” “Seussopardy,” “Book-A-Basket,” and “Green Eggs and Artwork.”
Mickelsen has been honored with over a dozen national awards for outstanding public relations campaigns, special events, feature writing, membership programs, and communications-related training. In 2006, he was named “P.R. Person of the Year” by the National Education Association’s (NEA) Public Relations Council of the States.
In addition to serving as the graphic designer, writer, editor, and photographer for all Association publications, Mickelsen has been a developer and trainer for many topics including interest-based bargaining, media relations, message development and discipline, and membership recruitment.
Mark replaces retiring Executive Director Susan Kuziak.