Michael J. Scionti is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intergovernmental Affairs and Homeland Defense. In this capacity, he advises the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs and other senior Department
of Defense officials on national defense and homeland security matters involving state and local governments and other federal agencies, and promotes the Department’s strategy, legislative priorities, and policies regarding the National Guard and Reserve forces.

Prior to joining the Office of Legislative Affairs, Mr. Scionti served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives for Legislative District 58 (Tampa). As a State Representative, he served on various House Councils and Committees most
notably as Ranking Member on Florida’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Council and Criminal and Civil Justice Council. He also served as Ranking Member
on Florida’s Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. In addition, Mr. Scionti served as Minority Whip and key member of Florida’s House Minority Leadership, sponsoring legislation and shaping policy initiatives that focused on public safety and security, economic growth and development, and military service members and their families.

He began his professional career as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Florida and later served as an Assistant State Attorney and an Assistant Statewide Prosecutor, where he worked with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in prosecuting violent felony and career offenders, as well as white-collar corruption and organized criminal activity (RICO) in the areas of banking and securities fraud, insurance fraud, identity theft, and drug trafficking.

He also served as an Adjunct Professor with the Honors College at the University of South Florida, where he taught and guest lectured on subjects relating to International Affairs and American Foreign Policy.

Mr. Scionti is a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army Reserve and is branch qualified both as an Army Judge Advocate and Military Intelligence Officer. He is a combat veteran having served overseas tours of duty both in Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom (2003) and Enduring Freedom (2007). The Presidential Unit Citation and Bronze Star Medal are among his many military awards and decorations.

Mr. Scionti was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Florida State University and his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law. He is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council.