Mike Johnson would make an excellent first base coach for the Boston Red Sox. As an Interior Communications Electrician in the Navy, he honed the skills necessary to protect sensitive communications under stress. He also learned to foster growth and build high functioning teams—a skill he carried forward while mentoring veterans at the State Department and now as a civilian. He's no stranger to celebrities either. Mike worked with high ranking diplomats, and even met former Vice President Kamala Harris. Not to mention, he's got prior experience coaching first base with the Fairfax Little League.

As a Public Affairs Specialist with the Bureau of East Asian & Pacific Affairs, Mike managed crisis communications for high-visibility policy issues ranging everywhere from the Burmese military coup and North Korean missile launches to natural disasters and COVID. As a Program Analyst, he advised presidential appointment candidates on clearance and vetting processes and coordinated with the White Hose to manage all State Department presidential nomination packages.

In January 2025, Mike made the move to the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Office of Policy and Program Analysis and prepared to lean into his leadership background before learning that he was being terminated as part of a Reduction-in-Force despite having tenure, veterans preference, and a stellar performance record.

Since leaving government, Mike has continued to mentor veterans, while also advancing his own professional interests. Mike is exploring opportunities in project management and corporate government affairs, as well as educational opportunities in Artificial Intelligence Management. Whether you're managing a Major League Baseball team or a communications program at a Fortune 500 company, Mike would make a great addition to your team.

Cheer Mike on via LinkedIn.

For more information about this episode, ⁠⁠visit our website⁠⁠.

If you enjoy Forking Off with us, consider supporting us on ⁠Ko-fi⁠, or ⁠follow us⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠, ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, or wherever you get your podcasts.

----------

The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the individuals providing them and do not necessarily represent the views of the FBI, the DOJ, the United States, or any past or current employers.