With the pending departure of Senior Communications Director Angela Starke, Mayor Madeline Rogero today announced changes in the City's Communications Department. Beginning Dec. 16th, current Communications Manager Jesse Fox Mayshark will become Communications Director, and Eric Vreeland will join the administration as Communications Manager. Vreeland has been a reporter and editor for the Knoxville News Sentinel since 1987, and currently serves as the newspaper's Breaking News Editor.

Starke announced earlier this fall that she would be moving to Orlando, Fla., following a relocation of her husband's job. A former editor and reporter for newspapers and TV stations including The Washington Post, USA Today, WJLA TV in Washington, D.C., and WVLT TV in Knoxville, Starke has been Senior Communications Director for the City since Mayor Rogero took office in December 2011. Her final day with the City will be Dec. 13th.

"I am very grateful to Angela for her valuable counsel and hard work these past two years," Mayor Rogero said. "She has been diligent, enthusiastic and a great asset to my administration. Whether dealing with a mulch fire, pension reform or our state legislative priorities, Angela has provided a steady hand and sure guidance. We will all miss her."

Mayshark has been the City's Communications Manager for the past two years. Prior to that, he worked for 20 years as a reporter and editor for publications including The New York Times, Metro Pulse and the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Vreeland has covered both City and County governments, as well as Knox County Schools, and for the past 21 years has overseen local news reporting in various editorial positions on the paper's Metro Desk. Most recently, he led team coverage of the 50th anniversary of desegregation efforts in Knoxville.

"I am happy to have two such experienced professionals as Jesse and Eric to continue the important work of our Communications Department," Mayor Rogero said. "Jesse is already a valuable member of my administration, and I have known and respected Eric for many years. Their combined knowledge of media, government and local issues will be a great asset to my administration and the people of Knoxville."

In their new positions, Mayshark will be responsible for broad communications strategy and oversight, as well as governmental relations, and Vreeland will handle day to day media relations and other duties. Among the department's priorities for the coming year will be the ongoing implementation of a new City of Knoxville website.