Michael Akin

• kevin miller
• joseph ney
• jack benson
• amy buckley
• doug gardner
• lynn sullivan
• glenn heitz
• barbara wells
• valerie marrapodi
• lynette morsell
• michael akin
• lindsey tharp
• hillery tsumba
• janet reingold

Michael Akin

Vice President

Michael Akin, a seasoned public relations expert with strong ties in the higher education sector and throughout Washington, D.C., leads Reingold's community and governmental relations division. He works with universities, nonprofits, and businesses to build strong local relationships and earn government and community buy-in for proposed projects and initiatives.

Mr. Akin recently served as The George Washington University's assistant vice president of government, international, and community relations, overseeing and managing the university's outreach to city, state, and federal officials and agencies; embassies, business, and cultural organizations; other Washington metro-area universities; and civic associations and community groups. He also led a multidisciplinary planning group of senior GW officials that fosters coordinated and comprehensive community efforts and co-chaired GW's Civic Engagement and Public Service Advisory Board.

Named GW's first director of community relations in 2004, Mr. Akin made his office the university's "go to" resource for community and city residents who had a partnership to propose, challenge to address, or problem to resolve. His aggressive community relations work helped make GW a national model for building community partnerships and overcoming classic "town/gown" friction.

Mr. Akin's community activities include serving as board president of St. Mary's Court, a nonprofit that operates a residential living facility for senior citizens and individuals with accessibility needs. He also is a board member of the Greater Washington Urban League and Cultural Tourism D.C. Mr. Akin received a 2006 GW Award—the university's highest honor—for advancing GW's mission in the Washington community with competence, integrity, and good will. In 2011, the Greater Washington Urban League recognized Mr. Akin with the Chairman's Award for his work in advancing the League's mission, and the D.C. City Council adopted a formal resolution to acknowledge his contributions to positive and collaborative community action.

A member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society, Mr. Akin has an MBA from The George Washington University, where he also graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in political communications.