Mr. Mazonkey Goes to Washington
Matthew Mazonkey '05 is a member of the Airbus Government Relations team in Washington, DC, after spending more than 10 years on Capitol Hill and with the British Embassy.
At Pitt-Johnstown, Mazonkey earned a BA in political science and a Certificate in International Studies. He also successfully completed the Air Command and Staff College Distance Learning Program through the US Air Force in 2012.
Before graduating with his degree in political science (cum laude), Matt served as Student Senate President, and was a member of the Programming Board and Blue & Gold Society.
"Pitt Johnstown gave me the knowledge and real-world experience to pursue my interests in the political and policy fields," he said. "My time spent within the classroom and within student organizations taught me much about myself, and really prepared me for success after graduation."
The Pitt-Johnstown Alumni Association selected Matt as the first recipient of the Young Alumnus of the Year Award for 2015. The Young Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes the accomplishments of younger Pitt-Johnstown alumni for their individual achievements, leadership in their professions, service to their community, and loyalty to their alma mater. Recipients must be under the age of 40 at the time they receive the award at the annual Alumni Gala.
He'd previously served as Senior Congressional Advisor for the British Embassy in Washington, DC. As member of the Embassy’s Political Team, he was responsible for coordinating Her Majesty’s Government priorities with the US Congress, and supporting Ambassador Peter Westmacott’s engagement with members of both the Senate and House of Representatives. He joined the embassy in September 2013.
From 2010-2013, Mazonkey was Chief of Staff to Congressman Mark Critz (D-Pennsylvania). In this role, he was the principal legislative and political advisor to Critz, who was a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Small Business Committee.
Mazonkey worked for Congressman John Murtha (D-Pennsylvania), and served as his Communications Director (2007-2010) and Legislative Assistant (2005-2007). He was the primary spokesman for the Congressman’s personal office as well as for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which Murtha chaired.