Austin McDaniel, Communications Director, Alaska Department of Public Safety

Austin McDaniel is the Communications Director for the Alaska Department of Public Safety. As communications director, he oversees four professional staff members, and the public information office team that manages all external and internal communications for the Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, and Alaska State Fire Marshals Office. He also ensures the department remains compliant with the Alaska Public Records Act, and oversees nine professional staff that manage these requests. Austin joined the Alaska State Troopers in 2020 after serving as the Deputy Communications Director for Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, where he oversaw all digital communications for the Governor’s Office and overall digital communications strategy for the State of Alaska. He has also worked in communications positions for Alaska Governor Sean Parnell, Alaska telecommunications company GCI, and local CBS affiliate KTVA. Austin is a lifelong Alaskan that can be found hunting, fishing, and enjoying all of the outdoors activities that The Last Frontier has to offer with his wife and son.