Michael Schommer Joins the Metropolitan Airports Commission to Lead Strategic Communications

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has selected Michael Schommer as its new assistant director of strategic communications. Schommer will lead internal and external communications functions at all levels of the organization, including media relations, crisis communications and executive communications for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the MAC’s six reliever airports in the Twin Cities.

Schommer joins the MAC with more than two decades of experience in government communications. In his recent director roles for the state of Minnesota, he developed and executed a wide range of campaigns and emergency response communications adapting messaging across traditional and digital channels based on content and audience targets. He provided strategic communications counsel and support for executive leadership teams and acted as a liaison with partner organizations across federal, state and local government.

“Michael has a tremendous background in Minnesota government and deep community connections developed over his many years in communications leadership,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the MAC. “His experience will further enhance a prime focus area for the MAC in proactive stakeholder and community relations to share how the dynamic activities at our airports support travel and business growth across the region and the state.”

Schommer was most recently the director of communications for the Minnesota Department of Health, a position he held for a decade. Prior to that, he served as communications director of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. In those positions, Schommer worked with senior leaders and programs to develop communications strategies that maximized impact and advanced organizational goals. He enhanced communications programs at each department, building capacity in social media, internal communications, planning and crisis communications. His crisis communications leadership at the health department earned him the 2023 Communicator of the Year award from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators.