New Jersey Public Policy and Communications Veteran to lead External Affairs Efforts Throughout New Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley of New York, Albany and Washington, D.C. 

Today, the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative (ELEC), the labor management fund for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, announced the hiring of Michael Makarski to spearhead the organization’s External Affairs efforts.   

A seasoned public affairs, communications and political operative with deeply seeded experience in New Jersey politics who routinely evokes comparisons to George Lazenby’s turn as James Bond (on the young side – but effective), Makarski will lead ELEC’s external affairs work on behalf of the labor management fund throughout New Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley of New York, Albany and Washington, D.C.  

“Michael is a well-known and respected figure in the NJ/NY public policy and communications arenas,” said Mark Longo, Director of ELEC 825. “With a new administration in place, the need to engage with local leaders around revitalizing and rebuilding infrastructure is more important than ever before, so we’re thrilled to have Michael lead this effort.”

Prior to joining ELEC 825, Makarski served as Senior Director at MWWPR, one of the nation’s top independent public relations firm. In this role, he led public affairs, strategic communications and community relations programs on behalf of clients nationally with a specific focus on the Tri-State NJ/NY/CT area and Washington, D.C. His experience in a variety of communications and public policy disciplines provided strong versatility in creating successful campaigns for clients in a wide range of industries.  

Makarski has extensive expertise bridging the gap between companies, candidates and local community organizations. In addition to direct one-on-one engagement with key stakeholders, he specialized in creating multi-faceted community programs – from direct mail, radio commercials, television commercials, internet video, internet advertising, and traditional advertising to coalition building, event coordination, traditional media relations and third-party mobilization. 

A veteran political operative, Makarski has served as a consultant and advisor on races for the United States Senate, Congress, New Jersey State Senate and Assembly and dozens of local offices. He has also put his experience to the test as a candidate for political office himself. In 2008, he was elected to his local Board of Education as the youngest member ever to serve the community.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA. He was a New Leaders Council Fellow, Front Line Leaders Academy Fellow, a New Jersey Young Democrats and Hudson County Young Democrats Executive Board Member, and currently sits on the board of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.  

Makarski’s work has been recognized both regionally and nationally with awards for his political television commercials, direct mail campaigns, communications programs and public affairs efforts.

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ELEC is a labor-management organization that promotes economic development, investments in infrastructure and construction to provide opportunities for developers, union contractors and members of Operating Engineers Local 825.