The City of Piqua proudly announces the appointment of Michelle Perry as its public information officer, a newly created position.
Perry currently serves as the executive director of The Piqua Community Foundation. Her first day with the City of Piqua will be January 29, 2024.
“I am excited to join the City of Piqua team and to continue serving our community in a new way,” Perry said. “I look forward to leading internal and external communications efforts about the City’s programs, projects, and investments in our community’s future.”
Perry brings an extensive background in journalism and public relations. She began her career at a daily Colorado newspaper, rising to the role of editor at 23. She later moved into nonprofit leadership and marketing positions in the health care, early childhood education, and economic development fields.
Her responsibilities have included close working relationships with local government, namely leading a municipally owned broadband network project as the economic development director for a rural Colorado community.
Locally, she launched The Piqua Community Foundation’s Pitch Piqua initiative, a charitable grant pitch competition that has shared more than $133,000 in grant funding to organizations with big ideas serving the community.
“Michelle’s leadership in her career and particularly in the Piqua community made her our choice for this position,” said City of Piqua HR Director Catherine Bogan. “She is a welcome addition to the team as we expand our efforts to share relevant, timely information.”
As public information officer, Perry will lead efforts in communications with residents, employees, stakeholders, and media partners. She will manage print and online communication channels and spearhead the City’s cooperation on community events.
“We are delighted to welcome Michelle to our team as the new public information officer,” said City Manager Paul Oberdorfer. “Her background in managing nonprofit communications as well as large-scale projects will be an asset to the City of Piqua. Michelle’s values of transparency and community service will help take the City’s communications to the next level.”