CLAYTON, MO - As part of his focus on improving accountability and customer service, newly-elected St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman has hired a key member of his new leadership team to take direct responsibility for all external affairs, community relations and long-term planning for the office.
Zimmerman announced today that he has named Sara Howard as Deputy Assessor and Director of External Affairs. In this role, Howard will directly oversee all external affairs for the Assessor's office, including inter-governmental affairs, community outreach, media relations and policy matters, and will manage strategic planning, particularly in the development and implementation of major long-term plans to better meet constituent needs.
"The Assessor's Office must be responsive to the needs and concerns of the families and businesses of St. Louis County," said Zimmerman. "With Sara's leadership, I am confident that we can zero in on that goal, communicate proactively with taxpayers, and identify solutions that make this office more accountable and efficient."
Howard brings to the Assessor's office 13 years of communications and management experience in the public, private and political sectors. A New Jersey native, she first moved to Missouri in 2000 to work on Governor Mel Carnahan's Senate campaign. After serving in the United States Senate in Washington, DC, Howard returned to St. Louis in 2004, where she has provided communications, policy and strategic expertise for various organizations, including the Service Employees International Union, Barack Obama's 2008 Presidential campaign, and a private, St. Louis-based public relations firm. Most recently, Howard served as Director of Communications for U.S. Congressman Russ Carnahan, a position she has held since August, 2009.
"I have always been driven by a strong commitment to public service, and I'm thrilled to join a team that is so dedicated to the people of St. Louis County," Howard said. "Like Jake, I know my mission is very clear: make sure that this office is fair, efficient, and responsive to the taxpayers we serve. I can't wait to get started."
Howard was selected from among three finalists after a public search for qualified applicants was conducted. Under the rules of St. Louis County's merit hiring system, candidates were screened and finalists were identified by human resources staff not employed by the Assessor. Her first day in the Assessor's office is Monday, July 11th. |
