The city of Hopkinsville has a new public information officer who will be familiar to residents as a former spokeswoman for the Christian County Health Department.
Amanda Brunt joined city hall on Jan. 16, filling the vacancy created by the departure of Chris Jung when he moved out of state. Brunt’s annual salary is $82,045, Human Resources Director Kenneth Grabara told Hoptown Chronicle.
Mayor James R. Knight Jr. said in a press release that Brunt “will be an integral part of building effective internal and external communication strategies …” Knight said he wants to “provide clear, transparent communications to the community.”
The releases states that Brunt “will produce printed and video material about the city, be responsible for organizing special events such as news conferences and awards ceremonies, improve upon department transparency, promote a positive public image, provide essential information during a crisis and enhance the brand of the city through consistent social media utilization.”
Most recently Brunt was a marketing director for Tristar NorthCrest Medical Center in Springfield, Tennessee, and Tristan Greenview Regional Hospital in Bowling Green.
She had one of the most visible and demanding PR jobs in the community as public information officer and marketing director for the Christian County Health Department at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We requested this position to amplify our efforts in sharing information to the public [and] city staff, and working with the council,” Hopkinsville City Administrator Troy Body said. “We have to do a better job of reaching people where they are via every format available. Amanda will add immediate value in our efforts.”
This story was updated to include Brunt’s salary.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
