The City of Erie has hired its first Communications Director. Christopher Millette will lead the city’s communications team and will focus on strategic direction and messaging to ensure that the city’s communications are timely, effective and consistent.
Chris will be the first point of contact between the news media and the Mayor’s office as well as all departments in the city. He’ll plan media events, community forums and informational meetings. He’ll also coordinate with other city departments on storytelling that focuses on current issues, successful initiatives and what’s next.
The city’s communications team consists of Niken Astari-Carpenter, new American liaison; Michael Outlaw, community liaison and Mas Sala, citizen relations manager. A multimedia strategist position on the team is currently vacant.
Chris comes to the city as a veteran journalist with 30 years of experience at three different news organizations in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Most recently, he was the Managing Editor of the Erie Times-News | GoErie.com in Erie.
“I’m grateful that Mayor Joe Schember and Chief of Staff Renee Lamis wanted me to join their team,” said Millette. “I look forward to helping the team put forth new ideas, work through challenges and celebrate successes with the city’s residents, business owners and visitors. I also hope to improve communications and planning with the media, city employees and our governmental and non-governmental partners in Erie County and across the Commonwealth.”
Chris is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor’s degree in photography and is a native of the Hudson River Valley area of New York. He lives in the City of Erie with his wife Kim and their son Grayson.
His first day was Monday, Jan. 30.
