CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The City of Citrus Heights welcomed a new communications officer, Marisa Brown, just finishing her first month on the job, and she’s excited to continue to get to know the community and public she now serves.

“It’s my first time working in the public sector,” Brown said. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with a minor in agriculture from California State University, Chico in 2019.

Brown started her professional career in public relations with Comcast Communications in Silicon Valley. She worked for a year remotely for Soprano Design, an Australian-based business-to-business communications firm before moving to Sacramento with her husband in 2021.

“It’s very different going from promoting a business to actively promoting a city,” she admits. Brown serves as the city’s community representative and media spokesperson.

“The mission of the city communications officer is to promote and protect the city,” Brown said. “I’m proud to now be a part of a very great team,” Brown said.

In her duties, Brown performs a wide range of communication and marketing activities to promote the city, department programs and events as well as make presentations to the city council.

“I hope to both show and tell through the scope of our city communications what makes the city of Citrus Heights a truly vibrant and distinctive community.”

Her diverse duties also include emergency communications and media management during crisis situations should they arise, she said.

While both she and her husband make their home in Sacramento, she said they both enjoy opportunities to explore the Citrus Heights community and all that makes it special.

Outside of city hall, Brown said she’s also keeping her calendar full as she gets to know civic and community leaders and listens to their concerns.

Brown reports to, and will collaborate with Meghan Huber, the city’s economic development and communications manager, where she will serve on a variety of city committees, projects, department or interdepartmental teams.

Responding to frequent media inquiries from the local press for news and information is an enjoyable part of her job, she said.

“I’m the liaison between city departments, and I’ll find the best person possible for public comment who might need to address the specific issue,” she said.

Brown looks forward to building on the city’s rich 26-year history, and its theme of “solid roots and new growth” in her duties.

“Creating a greater sense of civic pride in our overall messaging is an important part of what I do as the city’s communications officer,” she explained.

Brown is involved in event planning for the upcoming inaugural Stars & Stripes Celebration in Van Maren Park on Saturday, July 1 which kicks off at 6 pm with live music, food trucks and a fireworks finale.

Outside of her duties, Brown describes herself as a passionate pickleball player, and takes every opportunity she can to play on the courts at Rusch Park that she can. “The courts and the park are fabulous, and it’s a great place to learn to play.”

Brown also encourages the public to get connected with the latest news and updates from the City of Citrus Heights through its website http://citrusheights.net/ and social media platforms and to sign up to subscribe for its e-newsletter.

For more information on the Stars & Stripes Celebration and other city events, visit the “City Events” page on its website or text “Hello” to (844) 95-HELLO (43556) to receive event reminders.