Mike earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Education from Washington State in 1974, working construction to make his way through college. Upon graduation, he joined the US Coast Guard and attended Navy Flight School. In his 20-year Coast Guard career, Mike flew C130s, Dassault Falcon jets, and H-60 Jayhawk helicopters. His Air Station administrative duties included managing Public Relations, Finance, Administration, and Operations. While in the service, Mike attained a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of North Carolina.
In an interlude where he and his wife left the service to adopt children, Mike owned and operated Western Flyer Air Service in Fort Scott, Kansas. After two years of crop dusting, he got back into Coast Guard aviation from which he retired as a Commander in 1997. Upon retirement, Mike was asked by his WSU friend Paul Allen of Microsoft fame to work on the campaign to build a new stadium and keep the Seattle Seahawks from moving to Los Angeles. Mike has now served 29 years as a Seahawks vice president, managing Community Outreach and other departments. He serves on the boards of the Empower Youth Network, Camp Patriot and the Association of Washington Business. Flood has been awarded the 2019 “Person of Year” award from United Negro College Fund. He has also received the “Outstanding Service to Veterans” award from the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and “I Care About Kids” award from Mentoring Works Washington. He and his wife Marty, have a son, Dan, and daughters Shannon and MyKaila, plus 4 grandchildren.
Keynote Address: April 8, 2026 | 9:00 AM
‘SEA… HAWKS!’ – Authentic Voice: Leadership, Service and Storytelling
In this special conversation celebrating the 50th Annual Murrow Symposium, Mike Flood, Vice President of Outreach & External Affairs for the Seattle Seahawks, reflects on a career shaped by service, leadership, and the power of authentic communication. From working construction to pay his way through college, to flying rescue missions with the U.S. Coast Guard, to helping keep the Seahawks in Seattle, including connecting his friend from college, Paul Allen, to people from a variety of backgrounds and leading community impact for nearly three decades, Flood shares lessons learned across high-stakes environments where trust, clarity, and voice matter most. Moderated by longtime friend and Murrow alum Mark Dyce-Ryan, this conversation offers students and professionals alike a rare, candid look at how an authentic voice can guide leadership, build community, and shape a career that truly matters. GO HAWKS!