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The Bureau of Land Management today announced it has selected Matthew Allen as the Assistant Director for Communications, a key leadership position based in its Washington, D.C., headquarters. Allen is currently a spokesperson for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and will join the BLM on Monday, October 17. He brings a broad public affairs background, including experience within natural resource issues, to his new position. 

“The BLM manages ten percent of the nation’s land and plays a central role in the nation’s most complex natural resource issues. In order to do our jobs well, we have to be excellent communicators,” said BLM Director Neil Kornze. “Matthew has a strong, diverse background in communications and will play a central role in our ongoing efforts to provide clear and compelling information to the American people. We are excited to have him join the team.” 

In his new capacity, Allen will oversee the BLM’s Communications Directorate, which includes management responsibility for Public Affairs (including new media), Legislative Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs and oversight of the Bureau’s social media, correspondence and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) functions. Allen will be responsible for developing strategies and policies to effectively carry out these programs and to communicate the BLM’s mission, vision and goals. 

Allen’s extensive communications background spans both the public and private sectors, including work for Fortune 500 companies and engagement in issues as diverse as Middle East policy, domestic natural resource management, regulatory enforcement and emergency response. 

Allen served in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah. He and his wife have three children. He enjoys climbing, winter sports, shooting sports and spending time outdoors with his family.