Matthew Michela 

Pittsburgh, PA

 matthew.a.michela@gmail.com 

COMMUNICATIONS EXPERIENCE 

Communications Specialist:  West Valley City, Utah

  • Responds to public inquiries, maintains social media accounts regarding city services and related issues. 

    • Awards: Chief’s Award 2021, Unsung Hero 2020, Emmy Nominated for CPR PSA

  • Manages West Valley City Fire Department Social Media platform and messaging

  • Collaborates with all city departments including: Police, Fire, Fitness Center, Cultural Center, City Admin, Public Works and Senior Recreation center for public outreach content, internal training and multimedia projects

    • Notable Projects: Officer Involved Body Cam Incident Briefing Videos, First Responder Recruitment, Fire Camp and Public Safety Messaging

  • Collaborates with the Director of Digital Media and Director of Public Safety Media to create video content for West Valley City’s government access channel and social media platforms, including directing filming, editing, and preparation

  • Collects video and photo content for ongoing projects and maintains the City’s multimedia library

  • Supports the Emergency Operations Center as needed, assisting with communications and logistics during emergency situations

  • Assist with additional Public Relations projects and events as required

  • Part 107 Drone Certified; Supports Police and Fire drone needs

Photojournalist / Editor:­ KUTV Salt Lake, KUSA Denver, KOKH Oklahoma City

  • Shoots and Edits stories in a compelling way, meets tight daily deadlines

    • Awards: Regional Emmy, NPPA Contests, Utah Broadcasters Association Award

  • Tweets and Facebook Lives photos/videos to best promote stories

  • Provides Still Photographs for Web, News, and Promotions department

  • Notable News: Brian David Mitchell, RNC Convention, US Senator Day-in-the-life, Arizona Sheriff Deputy Killed Manhunt, 7th Graders Paying Respect to Fallen Heroes 

  • Develop/Shoot/Edit “Mic'd Up” segment for show opens on Friday Night Sports 

  • Introduce/Train the use of Motion for still pictures, making them more dynamic

  • Works in wide-ranging environments such as Hospitals, the US Capitol, and Wildfire/Flood zones

  • Develops positive relations with other departments and members of the public for gathering high quality stories

EDUCATION 

Leadership Certificate 2025, West Valley City

University of Colorado, School of Journalism BA Broadcast Journalism

Certificate in Technology, Arts and Media

Drone Part 107 Certificate 

COMPUTER SKILLS

 AVID, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Creative Suite: Premiere, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash 

Emergency Management Classes and Certificates

COMT, PIO L0952, ICS 100-400, 700 and 800

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE 

KUTV Photojournalist SLC (2010-2019) 

KOKH Photojournalist Oklahoma City (2009­-2010)

Video / Editing Teacher at Camp Echo (2005-­2008) 

Nuclear Electrician, US Naval Submarine (1999-­2005)