Austin Staton

About Austin

Corporate Communications & Reputation

Austin is a corporate communications leader with more than 15 years of experience leading media relations, crisis communications, and reputation strategy for Fortune 500 and multinational companies across transportation and energy.

He serves as Director of Media Relations at CSX, is a Trustee at WJCT Public Media, and is a past president of IABC Houston. His work sits at the intersection of operational complexity, corporate reputation, and modern media strategy, with experience providing media counsel to CEOs and senior leaders, developing external and earnings messaging, and guiding communications during high-stakes events.

Under Austin’s leadership, IABC Houston was named the International Chapter of the Year for 2019-20 and he pushed our Board to aim high with our professional development and networking offerings. It’s important to note that these significant accomplishments have been achieved, like all of us at IABC, on a volunteer basis.  

Amanda Swennes | Shell

Austin and I have worked closely together over the last year. A massive chunk of our collaboration has consisted of the creation of Cautious Coffee, a weekly show we host that has global appeal. While it is a collaborative effort, Austin is the backbone that holds it all together. His experience as a communicator and creative enables him to connect with a wide range of audiences . 

DeRae Crane | U.S. Army

Few professional communicators have such a robust and complete skillset as Austin. In an ever-evolving communications landscape, Austin exemplifies a professional who stays ahead of the curve, always following the latest industry strategies and trends. Austin is a team-focused professional with contagious positivity and is guaranteed to bring results to any organization.

Matthew Cobb | bp

As an activist in the communication profession, Austin brings considerable intelligence, agility and curiosity to the table – asking great questions on the one hand and getting things done and organized on the other. Great guy and a winner.

Mike Klein | Smarp

Austin is a creative thinker and always one of my first choices to join a brainstorming team. He also has shown real leadership as the co-creator of Cautious Coffee. It has helped people stay connected and share their feelings and concerns during the challenges of working from home due to Covid-19. Clearly, a great example of leading from where you sit.

Robert Miner | bp

Austin’s ability to juggle multiple projects is unlike any I’ve seen before and makes a dramatic difference in the productivity level of our photo/video team. He is also kind and easy to communicate with, which made our relationship not only productive but a wonderful workplace experience.

Marc Morrison| Photographer