Mike Dodd, a 1995 graduate of the Tickle College of Engineering, has spent his career shaping the way the world communicates and consumes media. From his early days growing up in Oliver Springs, Tennessee, to his current role as Senior Staff Software Engineering Manager at Google, he has remained at the forefront of innovation in digital communication and streaming technologies.
At Google, Dodd leads the Cast Receivers team, which powers streaming media experiences across TVs, smart displays, speakers, and even vehicles. Over his 15-year tenure, he has led transformative projects, including the first built-in video chat on Android and the adoption of RCS messaging—now handling over a billion messages daily. His expertise in messaging earned him the nickname “Minister of Messaging” and positioned him as a key spokesperson for Google’s Android communication initiatives.
Dodd’s journey began with a passion for programming at age 10 that led him to UT. As a student, he interned at Apple and contributed to the early development of QuickTime. He later joined Apple full-time, then moved to Microsoft, where he helped pioneer IPTV technologies that laid the groundwork for modern streaming services.
Today, Dodd lives in the Pacific Northwest, but he still cheers on Tennessee football and Lady Vols basketball every chance that he gets. He believes that hard work is necessary but not sufficient. His own success was made possible by the generous support of friends, family, and industry mentors who believed in him, supporting him through his time at UT and early career. This understanding drives his commitment to paying it forward through personal advocacy and financial support for UT scholarships and student organizations like Systers, as well as contributions to community causes like Ronald McDonald House Charities.
