News Flash

ROANOKE COUNTY, January 30, 2014 — Roanoke County Administrator Clay Goodman this week named Amy Whittaker the new Public Information Officer. Whittaker will begin work at Roanoke County on February 24.

Whittaker is currently the Regional Director of Public Affairs for the American Red Cross, a well-respected nonprofit organization, where she has worked for 16 years. In the position, she establishes the strategic communication direction for the local region which is comprised of 50 counties in western Virginia.

Whittaker oversees the public relations, crisis communications, media relations and social media engagement for the Red Cross. She is responsible for raising the visibility of the organization to increase community awareness of programs and the need for support. She has extensive public affairs training and experience, having served as spokesperson for the organization during numerous local and national disaster relief operations. She also directs social media efforts for the Red Cross, managing multiple platforms as other means to engage the public.

“I want to welcome Amy to Roanoke County and look forward to working with her as the County’s Public Information Officer,” said Clay Goodman, Roanoke County Administrator.

Whittaker holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in communications from Roanoke College. She is a past president and active member of the Blue Ridge Chapter, Public Relations Society of America. Whittaker and her family reside in Roanoke County.