Michael Chee is a communications expert with more than 20 years of experience managing media and marketing communication issues on behalf of corporations and clients in the private and public sectors as well as the health care industry. In addition, Michael has substantial experience developing and implementing successful communication programs to influence decision makers, legislators and business leaders when clients or special interests require greater clarity and understanding among mass consumer and ethnic audiences. Michael has served as a senior consultant leading multi-ethnic outreach programs, crisis communications and strategic communications programs supporting a variety of clients.

Formerly, he was the senior vice president of media relations for the Western Region of Bank of America. In this capacity, Michael oversaw all media relations and external PR for a seven state region and served as official spokesperson for Bank of America products, services and operations. He was influential in facilitating the bank’s outreach to Hispanic customers through unique programs like “Keep The Change” and the bank’s acceptance of the Matricula Consular ID card for new banking patrons.

As a consultant, he has lent his knowledge to many industries and companies including DaVita, the California Department of Health Services, The Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at USC, O’Melveny and Myers law firm, WellPoint Inc., the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and major healthcare and hospital delivery systems throughout California and the country. Michael served with two of the state’s top public relations agencies, Hill and Knowlton and Golin/Harris Communications, representing such clients as PacifiCare Health Systems, Loyola Law School, Catholic Healthcare West, California Department of Health Services, the former Governor Wilson administration and Adventist Health Systems. His responsibilities included supervising agency account teams and leading the strategic development and implementation of both statewide and national communication programs intended to increase the visibility and public understanding of these organizations’ products, services and operations.

Michael also brings a diverse range of corporate experience from institutions including Blue Cross of California, Vuarnet Sunglasses, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and WellPoint, Inc. While representing WellPoint, currently the nation’s largest health insurer, Michael served for nearly 10 years as their media relations expert on the company’s products, services and issues. He was regularly called on to represent the company in the news media as its primary spokesperson.

Michael has spent countless hours media training and preparing corporate executives to speak and interact with the news media. Due to his extensive experience in crisis management, he is often called upon to assist clientele with immediate crisis preparation and response. In a highly publicized case, he served as the chief communication strategist for Glendale Adventist Medical Center when an employee was accused euthanizing patients.

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