Mr. Woltornist has advised non-profits and public leaders on communications and government relations strategy for over a decade. Prior to co-founding ATHOS, he served as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, overseeing all outreach and media relations efforts and the department’s team of more than 800 communications professionals.
As the federal government’s chief crisis communicator, he managed the government response to hurricanes, cyber breaches, Congressional oversight, leadership transitions, and national security threats. In the role, he also directed the department’s strategic, incident, and internal communications, and served as the principal communications advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. He received the Outstanding Service Medal from the Secretary of Homeland Security for his service at the department.
Previously, Mr. Woltornist served as a spokesman at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he led communications efforts for the Antitrust Division, including media engagement for the investigation into Big Tech. He was also responsible for communications involving congressional investigations in addition to several high-profile Supreme Court cases. He further served as Communications Director of the Republican Study Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, the largest caucus of the chamber.
Mr. Woltornist earned a BA cum laude in Political Science, History, and Philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a MA magna cum laude in theology from Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius.
