Vice President, Crisis/Critical Issues, Government Affairs, Media Relations
Paul is no stranger to a crisis. Locally and globally, he's helped clients successfully deal with difficult issues, from plant closings to product recalls to workplace accidents. Paul's diverse background in media and public relations make him ideally suited to lead the crisis and critical issues practice at Padilla Speer Beardsley, as well as its media relations team.
Paul and his communications specialists excel at developing and executing national publicity programs for product and service launches. Among his awards are two Silver Anvils from the Public Relations Society of America for work promoting the St. Paul Winter Carnival's Ice Palace and the Itasca Project's “Mind the Gap” campaign in Minnesota.
Before joining Padilla, Paul led the communication and public relations efforts for the Northwest Airlines chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association. There, he worked on everything from the airline's financial restructuring and return as a public company, to the 1998 contract negotiations and pilots' strike. He also is known for his work on various local, state and national political campaigns.
Paul is a frequent guest lecturer on public relations and crisis communications at colleges and universities in the Twin Cities, including his alma mater, the University of St. Thomas. There, he earned undergraduate degrees in journalism and political science, and his master's degree in business communication.
Paul has long been active in the community, and his record of service to non-profit organizations won him the Don Padilla Award for outstanding public service from the Public Relations Society of America's Minnesota chapter. He also has served on the St. Louis Park City Council since 2003 and chaired that city's economic development authority.
Outside work, Paul coaches various youth sports and can be frequently found on ice hockey rinks across the state.