Chief of Staff/Chief Strategy Officer

Michelle Stom, MPA, APR, is responsible for building and maintaining the agency’s reputation; overseeing the agency’s strategic planning and performance measurement activities; leading the creation of a continuous improvement framework for the agency; providing education, information, and outreach to facilitate partnerships with agency stakeholders, and leading special initiatives as directed by the general manager. She serves on the agency's executive team and directs the activities of public communications, planning, outreach, government affairs, continuous improvement and change management and human resources.

Ms. Stom has been with Tampa Bay Water since 2001, when she joined the agency as the public communications coordinator, later being promoted to chief communications officer overseeing the agency's communications and legislative affairs programs. During her tenure at the agency, Michelle has participated in or overseen many high-profile agency initiatives and responses including communicating the completion and start-up of the agency's surface water treatment plant and plant expansion, the seawater desalination plant and the regional reservoir and subsequent renovation, as well as many other agency capital improvement projects and directed public outreach on four Long-term Master Water Plan updates. In addition, during Michelle's tenure and through the efforts of the Public Affairs Division, the agency received numerous awards including the 2017 American Metropolitan Water Agency Platinum Award for Utility Excellence and the Gold Marcom Award from the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals, a Telly Award, an ADDY Award from the American Advertising Federation Tampa Bay, a Bronze Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America, a Radiance Award and Prestige Awards from state and local chapters of the Public Relations Society of America.

Ms. Stom holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in public administration from the Pennsylvania State University; and has earned her Accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America. Prior to joining Tampa Bay Water, Michelle worked as a Deputy Press Secretary with the Pennsylvania Department of Education where she was involved in creating education legislation; planning and executing events for the Secretary of Education and the Governor; and handling media relations on various education-related topics.