Bob Spieldenner named communications manager for administrative services
Bob Spieldenner has been named communications manager for the administrative services division at Virginia Tech.
“Bob will help keep the Virginia Tech community informed about issues that can affect them on a daily basis, from parking to safety and health,” said Sherwood Wilson, vice president of administration.
Spieldenner comes to Virginia Tech after 10 years as the director of communications for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. In that position he managed the agency’s media relations, social media, website, and public education programs. In addition, he has worked in 14 federally declared disasters and numerous emergencies including Hurricanes Sandy, Irene, and Isabel; the April 16, 2007, tragedy; the April 2011 tornado outbreaks; and the 2009 and 2013 presidential inaugurations.
Prior to joining VDEM, Spieldenner managed national public education campaigns and served as primary spokesperson for the United Network for Organ Sharing, which coordinates the national organ transplant system. He began his public relations career at the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Spieldenner has taught media relations to first responders throughout Virginia and served as an adjunct instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Spieldenner has a bachelor’s degree from the Virginia Military Institute and completed additional studies in journalism at VCU. Accredited in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America, he is past-president of the PRSA Richmond chapter.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
