Government Tech Reporters to Know
By Marely Arias
From cybersecurity to AI to workforce policy, government tech coverage goes far beyond software updates.
Reporters on this beat explore how technology shapes the public sector and the strategies and people powering innovation at federal, state, and local levels.
For companies working with government agencies or looking to enter the public sector, government reporters surface the stories that matter most to the right decision-makers. So if you're looking to build relationships in this space, you need to understand each reporter’s beat, audiences, and interests.
To help you navigate this corner of the media world, here’s a look at some of the top reporters covering government tech today.
Government Tech Reporters to Know
Thad Rueter
Thad Rueter is a reporter for Government Technology, where he covers the intersection of innovation and public service. His reporting spans a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the evolving government workforce. With a focus on how govtech shapes operations at the state and local levels, Thad brings valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing public-sector leaders.
PRO TIP: Thad may not always have the bandwidth to jump on a call with your source, so offering an email Q&A can be a smart alternative. It’s worked well for me in the past!
Take a look at Thad’s recent coverage of our utility and field work tech client, FYLD, here. The piece highlights FYLD’s latest fundraising efforts aimed at expanding into U.S. municipalities to empower infrastructure teams.
Michelle M. Havich
Michelle M. Havich is an award-winning writer and editor with deep expertise in public-sector journalism. She spent four years as an editor at American City & County before the publication merged with Smart Cities Dive.
She now contributes to topics in government operations, finance, procurement, and workforce development. I first had the opportunity to work with Michelle earlier this year on a contributed byline for our client, ELB Learning, which focused on why building a more resilient government workforce starts with developing people.
PRO TIP: When reaching out to government tech reporters, reference specific policy areas they’ve covered. This shows you understand what matters to their audience.
Michelle won’t respond to your pitch unless she’s genuinely interested. So, don’t overload her inbox. Instead, focus on sending one strong, tailored pitch that aligns with her beat.
Natalie Alms
Natalie Alms is a staff correspondent at Government Executive, where she covers federal technology policy and the government's tech workforce. Her reporting dives into how technology, labor dynamics, and regulatory shifts impact the way government agencies function. She brings an in-depth perspective to her stories, highlighting the people behind the policy and the technology enabling transformation.
PRO TIP: Respect the news cycle. Government reporters often cover breaking news, announcements, hearings, and budget proposals. So timing is everything – don’t pitch your evergreen angle right in the middle of a breaking news moment. These reporters really appreciate sources who understand the landscape.
You can explore Natalie’s recent work in Government Executive here.
Madison Alder
Madison Alder is a reporter for FedScoop where she covers government tech. She’s reported on tracking government uses of artificial intelligence and monitoring changes in federal contracting. She’s also moderated events like FedTalk, the largest annual gathering of government and tech leaders.
Madison is interested in issues involving health, law, and data. Her reporting offers valuable context for both government leaders and tech providers working to modernize mission delivery.
You can find Madison’s recent stories on FedScoop here.
Govtech reporters aren’t just covering tools and systems; they’re telling the story of how innovation impacts our government, communities, and everyday lives. Take the time to understand their specific beats, policy interests, and the challenges their readers care about. It will go a long way in building meaningful, long-term relationships.
