Virginia Annable, a resident of Morganton, has been hired as Catawba County’s Communications and Marketing Director starting on October 19th.
The director will “lead countywide public information and education efforts [and] help connect residents with information about county services, programs and priorities,” according to an announcement from Catawba County..
The position exists within the county manager’s office.
Annable previously worked for Lee Enterprises, an Iowa-based newspaper conglomerate, where she served simultaneously as the editor of five local newspapers, including the Hickory Daily Record, Morganton News Herald, McDowell News, Statesville Record & Landmark, and the Mooresville Tribune.
The Chronicle Chronicle is an independent newspaper and has no affiliation with Lee Enterprises.
Prior to her work with Lee Enterprises, she worked in media at various local news outlets. Her career in journalism has spanned over a decade.
“Through my work in local news, I have learned the important role local government plays in our lives,” Annable said. “I look forward to being a part of it in my next role. I care deeply about this community and look forward to serving the public by helping people stay informed about and connected to their local government.”
County officials say her experience as a journalist will aid her in her new government role.
“Virginia has built her career by sharing information with the public in a way that consistently builds connection and gets the message across,” said County Manager Mary Furtado. “We are excited to welcome her to the Catawba County team.”
Catawba Valley News & Weather reported that the county began advertising the job opening in June with a posted yearly pay range of $87,849 to $144,951. The county has not announced Annable’s salary.
Public response to the appointment has been largely congratulatory and positive.
Some negative responses focused on the job’s salary.
“That pay range is excessive for the skill required,” one citizen wrote. “Not sure this position is necessary.”
Others discussed what some say is a track record of “biased” reporting from the Hickory Daily Record and Annable’s residence outside of Catawba County.
One citizen wrote, “If someone is going to represent an area, shouldn’t they at least live there?”
Annable earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida and a master’s in digital communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.