Michael Rhodes
Assistant Vice President, Federal Relations, AT&T
Management and Governance
Contact Information
Michael Rhodes
Assistant Vice President, Federal Relations, AT&T
Management and Governance
Contact Information
Mike Rhodes joined AT&T in January 2019 and is responsible for federal executive branch and external affairs activities to manage strategic government engagements. Key focus areas include strategic and policy matters involving Defense and National Security organizations, other federal agencies, and the nationwide public safety broadband network – FirstNet – established in public law and overseen by the Department of Commerce.
Previously Mike served 34 years with the Department of Defense, the last 12 he was honored to be selected the Director of Administration & Management – being the senior career official for 5 Secretaries of Defense. He was the Secretary’s principal staff assistant and advisor for DoD organizational and administrative management matters, with myriad responsibilities including operation and support of the Defense headquarters, the Pentagon Reservation, numerous other activities and locations in the national capital area, and select defense-wide activities. As “Mayor of the Pentagon” he oversaw and integrated operations of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Washington Headquarters Services, and the DoD Consolidated Adjudications Facility, as well as execution of the nationwide multi-year Commemoration for Vietnam War veterans and families, among other diverse assigned functions. During this time Mike also represented the Secretary of Defense as a Commissioner on both the National Capital Planning Commission and the National Capital Memorials Advisory Commission.
Mike was appointed to the federal government’s Senior Executive Service in October 2000, and the other executive leadership assignments he was selected for include: Director of Washington Headquarters Services, a 3,000 person DoD Field Activity; the U.S. Marine Corps’ Assistant Deputy Commandant for Manpower & Reserve Affairs; and Advisor to the Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in Miami, Florida, overseeing the commands’ and components’ requirements relocating from Panama. He also was privileged to previously work for the Army in various installation and business management positions at the Army Headquarters in Virginia, Army Pacific Command in Hawaii, the Military Academy at West Point in New York, and the Army Alaska Command in Anchorage. Over his career he was recognized and honored for his acumen and results with the highest civilian awards by three Presidents, five Defense Secretaries, the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and the SOUTHCOM Commander.
Concurrently Mike served his community for 12 years as Planning Commissioner in Stafford County (Virginia); appointed by three successive County Supervisors, and serving as Chairman 4 of those years. Also, for 19 years, he served as an Adjunct Professor teaching undergraduate Accounting, Finance, and Business classes in Virginia, New York, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Mr. Rhodes received his Master of Business Administration from Chapman College, Bachelor of Science in Finance from Western Kentucky University, and he is a graduate of the Army Management Staff College. Mr. Rhodes also served four years active duty with the Army as a noncommissioned officer, being awarded the Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and earning the Air Assault Badge.