Michael Seilback, lifelong Long Island resident, received Staff Excellence Award
(HAUPPUGE, NY) The national office of the American Lung Association held their annual award ceremony at the Manhattan Beach Marriott in Manhattan Beach, California on June 22. Michael Seilback, Vice President of Public Policy & Communications for the American Lung Association of the Northeast, of Commack, was honored with a 2013 Staff Excellence Award.
“Mike is an integral leader within our staff team in the Northeast,” said Jeff Seyler, American Lung Association of the Northeast President & CEO. “His creativity along with his able skills as a communicator and advocate make him a very valuable resource to our organization.”
Seilback (R) after accepting his award, with Dr. Rodriguez, American Lung Association volunteer also being honored in Manhattan Beach
In his role as Vice President, Seilback oversees both advocacy in the state of New York and communication outreach throughout the Northeast region. He serves as the organization’s New York lobbyist and acts as a regional spokesperson on lung health, tobacco control and environmental health issues. Seilbck has worked with New York elected officials to promote the American Lung Association’s agenda. Some of his accomplishments include working with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the City Council to pass the law that made New York City parks smokefree; working with state legislators to pass a law making commuter train platforms smokefree; and working the state legislators to significantly limit the allowable sulfur content in all #2 heating oil sold.
The passion Seilback brings to his work and the Lung Association’s mission is evident to everyone with whom he works, both inside and outside the organization. Motivated by a desire to ensure his two young children, Jake and Julia, grow up in a world with healthy air, he is always looking for opportunities to advance the Lung Association’s mission – be it through lobbying legislators, finding ways to partner with other health and environmental organizations with mutual advocacy goals, or through engaging the media on key issues that affect people’s lung health.
A board member of the Social Media club of Long Island, Seilback is a true social media enthusiast. Through persistent and meaningful engagement with other Twitter users, Michael has been able to help the American Lung Association amplify its message, gain followers and be an active participant in the conversation about lung health. Seilback was recently chosen by staff at the national office of the American Lung Association to host a Twitter webinar to all Lung Association staff across the country. Most recently, he was sought out by Newsday and profiled in a feature article about taking charge of your personal brand online.
Receiving the 2013 Staff Excellence Award is not the first time Seilback has been highlighted by the American Lung Association. In October, he was nominated by peers and chosen by the national office of the American Lung Association as Staff of the Week. Ed Miller, Senior Vice President of Public Policy for the American Lung Association of the Northeast, said, “Mike is a talented and critical member of our policy team. He can not only advocate strongly on an issue but can present the issue to the media in a compelling and interesting manner.”
About the American Lung Association of the Northeast
The American Lung Association of the Northeast is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis; our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. The American Lung Association in the Northeast serves CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI and VT. www.LungNE.org
