Bridge Public Affairs announced that Austin D. Cantrell has joined the firm as vice president. Mr. Cantrell will lead the firm’s communications practice, leveraging his unique insight and valuable experience to deliver positive results for Bridge clients.

“I have known Austin for many years and have enjoyed watching his career flourish in both public service and private organizations,” said Todd Womack, president and CEO of Bridge Public Affairs. “Bridge is proud to be able to attract such a talented professional to our team, allowing us to provide outstanding service for every one of our clients.”

Mr. Cantrell joins Bridge after two years of leading his own public relations firm where he improved public messaging for over a dozen clients around the country.

From 2017 to 2020, Mr. Cantrell served in the executive office of the President in various roles, including as a communications aide to the President during hundreds of public events, more than 50 domestic trips, and four international visits. Mr. Cantrell gained invaluable experience planning and executing national media and public relations initiatives alongside senior administration officials and policy experts.

As assistant press secretary, Mr. Cantrell coordinated communications strategies for the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the U.S. Space Force (USSF), and NASA.

“Anyone who knows anything about Bridge Public Affairs knows that this is a firm that delivers results,” said Cantrell. “I am thrilled to join such a high-quality group of individuals who are masters at their trade.”

A native of Coral Springs, Fl., Mr. Cantrell earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Ga. Mr. Cantrell and his wife, Sage, are newlyweds and recently relocated to Chattanooga.

Bridge Public Affairs was recognized as the fifth most successful new firm in the nation in 2019 and has consistently been recognized as a leading firm by Bloomberg Government.

From multi-national corporations to local community non-profits and start-ups, Bridge offers a wide range of public affairs services to its clients, including government relations, lobbying, strategic communications, public relations, business development, and general strategic consulting.