Flight 93

Tom McMillan has spent a lifetime in media and communications: as a newspaper sports writer, radio talk-show host, and for the past 17 years as Vice President of Communications for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. He’s written on deadline, interviewed superstars, traveled the world, grilled guests on radio shows, issued official statements, developed social media strategy, counseled millionaire owners and faced withering questions from TV reporters about his organization’s controversial bankruptcy case. For three years he served as the Penguins’ VP of Marketing in addition to VP of Communications. Through it all, McMillan has developed a vast network of media contacts – locally, regionally, and at national outlets such as NBC, USA Today and the New York Times.In his spare time he also serves on the board of directors of Pittsburgh’s Heinz History Center, on the marketing committee of the Gettysburg Foundation, as a tour guide for the Civil War Room at Carnegie Library, as an adjunct professor of media and marketing at Point Park University and a volunteer at the Flight 93 National Memorial, where he helps to orient visitors to the crash site.His 15-year career with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Press and San Diego Union spanned events from the Olympics to the World Series, the NBA Finals, the Final Four, , the Indy 500, and Triple Crown horse races. Since that time, he has spent almost two decades in the business office of a professional team, broadening his strategic thinking.He is wired into the Pittsburgh and regional media surrounding the Flight 93 National Memorial and has contacts nationally. He lives in Wexford, Pennsylvania.

Mr. McMillan created a compelling narrative of the plot's conception, the terrorist cell formation, pilots' training. . . .and the careful study of U.S. airline security that enabled the 19 hijackers to succeed at striking three targets, killing thousands and wounding a nation. He developed vivid portraits of the ordinary citizens on board thrust into the role of patriots as they desperately attempted to save their own lives and in doing so, spared the U.S Capitol just 20 minutes away. . . .[H]is book will help secure Flight 93's legacy and Somerset County's place in U.S. history.