Austin Cantrell is a public relations professional known for elevating the communications effectiveness of governments, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. As Vice President at Bridge Public Affairs, he leads the firm’s growing public relations and strategic communications practice, assisting clients across the country to communicate on a diverse array of topics, including healthcare, education, real estate development, and federal fiscal policy.
Austin helps Bridge clients communicate effectively with the general public and strategic audiences, including policymakers or donors. He works to identify winning messages, respond strategically to incoming media inquiries, prepare clients for media engagements, monitor for media mentions, and build and execute communications plans. Bridge clients have turned to Austin to help them navigate crises, influence public opinion, secure historic public-private investments, and announce major initiatives.
Austin developed his proficiency in high-stakes, fast-paced communications environments in Washington, D.C.
During his nearly three years in the White House, he served as a communications aide to President Donald J. Trump for hundreds of public events, on more than 50 domestic trips, and on four international visits. As Assistant Press Secretary, Austin gained invaluable experience planning and executing national media and public relations initiatives alongside senior administration officials and policy experts.
In the West Wing, Austin led communications strategies on behalf of the Executive Office of the President 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.
Before joining Bridge Public Affairs, Austin founded and led a successful public relations firm, improving public messaging for over a dozen corporate, non-profit, and higher education clients around the country.
Austin resides in Chattanooga, TN, with his wife, Sage, and their sons, Bennett and Theodore.