Don Kauffman

About Don Kauffman

I’m a journalist-turned-executive producer who builds straightforward, high-quality content about complicated things. Most of my work now sits at the intersection of journalism, cyber, and national security.I started on a local TV assignment desk and spent two decades in newsrooms, producing and then managing live newscasts, political coverage, and public-affairs programming. Along the way I earned an MBA, which helped me move from running individual shows to leading people, budgets, and coverage decisions at the newsroom level.Today I lead media production for Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security in Washington, D.C. I launched and executive produce the Cyber Focus video podcast and related series, working with institute leadership and a wide range of guests from government, industry, and academia, and extending that work across digital and social channels.Looking ahead, I’m interested in roles where I can use the same mix of editorial judgment, production experience, and domain knowledge to build or scale content operations for organizations working in cyber, national security, or adjacent policy areas.

Experience

1. Executive Producer

   Mccrary Institute For Cyber & Critical Infrastructure Security

   Jan 2024 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Launch and lead a new media production function for a cyber and critical infrastructure think tank, reporting to the Chief Communications Officer.Created and executive produce Cyber Focus, a video podcast featuring senior leaders from government, industry, and academia, aligning topics with the institute’s research and policy priorities.Develop content strategy, editorial calendars, and series concepts that support both brand awareness and policy impact, including spin-off formats and short-form clips.Manage end-to-end production workflows and a small network of contractors, from pre-interview and booking through recording, post-production, and distribution across YouTube, podcast platforms, and social channels.Collaborate with institute leadership, external partners, and Auburn’s communications teams to integrate Cyber Focus content into broader outreach, events, and digital strategy.

Education

• Brigham Young University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Communication and Media Studies

  1999 — 2003

• Brigham Young University

  Master of Business Administration (MBA)

  2014 — 2016

Skills

• Broadcast
• Television
• Broadcast Journalism
• Video Production
• Journalism
• Media Relations
• Multimedia
• Digital Media
• Social Media
• Social Media Marketing
• Public Relations
• Creative Direction
• Facebook
• Social Networking
• News Writing
• Storytelling
• Team Management
• Broadcasting
• Research
• Writing
• Broadcast Television
• Press Releases
• Breaking News
• Avid Inews
• Enps