News Summary
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has appointed Stephanie Cepak as the new press secretary for the city. An award-winning journalist, Cepak is expected to enhance the city’s communications strategy during Mayor Kelly’s second term, leveraging her extensive background in strategic communication and community involvement. With a successful career that includes leading rebranding initiatives and advocacy campaigns, she aims to connect effectively with Chattanooga residents and support Mayor Kelly’s vision for unity and progress.
Chattanooga, TN – Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has appointed Stephanie Cepak as the new press secretary for the city. Cepak, an award-winning journalist with extensive experience in strategic communications, is expected to play a key role in supporting Mayor Kelly’s vision during his second term.
Having moved to Chattanooga with her family in 2020, Cepak quickly adapted to the local community, utilizing EPB’s high-speed internet to successfully work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her professional background includes significant positions at two creative agencies where she focused on strategic communication for issue advocacy and candidate campaigns.
In her previous role at Michigan State University’s Honors College, Cepak oversaw communications and led a successful rebranding initiative. Her efforts there also included a capital campaign that raised substantial funds for the college. This experience is expected to be beneficial to the city’s communications efforts as officials seek to enhance public engagement.
Cepak’s career began as a newspaper reporter, where she specialized in covering local government and business news in Frankfort, Indiana. Over the years, she received multiple awards from Capitolbeat and earned recognition as one of the top state-based political reporters as determined by readers of The Washington Post.
Her academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University, which has provided her with a strong foundation for her career in communications. Cepak has been actively engaged with Chattanooga organizations such as the League of Women Voters and Forward Tennessee, reinforcing her commitment to community involvement.
Stephanie Cepak resides in Chattanooga with her husband, Anthony, who works as an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Together, they have two children who attend Hamilton County Schools. This family connection furthers Cepak’s motivation to contribute positively to the local community.
Mayor Kelly expressed enthusiasm for Cepak’s appointment, noting that her extensive background in journalism and public relations will bolster the city’s communication team. Senior Advisor Eric Holl echoed these sentiments, indicating that her skills would significantly enhance the city’s ability to communicate effectively with residents.
As the new press secretary, Cepak will be at the forefront of efforts to relay the city’s initiatives and community stories, contributing to the broader goal of Mayor Kelly’s “One Chattanooga” vision, which aims to bring unity and progress to the city.
Residents and stakeholders in Chattanooga are likely to benefit from Cepak’s deep commitment to public service and her proactive communication strategies, as she embarks on this new role to connect and engage with the community effectively. Her appointment marks a significant step in the city’s strategic communications strategy, aimed at fostering transparency and collaboration.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Trump’s AI Pope Image Provokes National Controversy
Trump Proposes 100% Tariff on Foreign Movies
Chattanooga High-Speed Chases Result in Multiple Arrests
Local Activist Saves Life of Conservative Columnist
Chilean National Charged with Theft from Homeland Security Secretary
White House Blocks Return of Wrongfully Deported Father
US-China Trade Talks Heat Up with Mixed Messages
Federal Judge Protects Sanctuary Cities in Landmark Ruling
President Trump’s Tariff Policy Faces Growing Headwinds
NIH Launches New Autism Study Using Private Medical Records
Additional Resources
- Chattanoogan: Mayor Tim Kelly Appoints New Press Secretary
- Wikipedia: Press Secretary
- Times Free Press: Chattanooga Mayor Names New Press Secretary
- Google Search: Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly
- Local 3 News: Mayor Tim Kelly Names New Appointments
- Google Scholar: Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly
- Local 3 News: Tim Kelly to Host Open Office Hours
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Local Government
