After serving as the interim director of Albemarle County’s communications team since May, the county has removed “interim” from Abbey Stumpf’s job title. She will start as permanent and full-time director of the department next week.
Stumpf has been with the county since January 2020, serving in multiple public information roles during that time. She was named manager of the Communications and Public Engagement Department in fall 2022.
That changed in May, when previous communications director Emily Kilroy was named interim director of economic development. Stumpf was then elevated from manager of communications to interim director, filling the void left by Kilroy’s transition.
Within a recent two-week span, the county decided that both Kilroy and Stumpf would no longer serve in interim capacities. It named Kilroy its economic development director on Sept. 17, and Stumpf will officially become permanent director of the Communications and Public Engagement Department on Monday.
“Communications and public engagement are key to fostering trust and transparency with our residents, and Abbey’s leadership has been critical in advancing this mission,” Albemarle County Executive Jeff Richardson said in a Thursday statement announcing the move. “We are confident in her ability to continue leading the division with innovative strategies that connect with the diverse communities we serve.”
The new title will not change much for Stumpf because she had already been managing much of the day-to-day operations for the division. But now as director, she will have the opportunity to guide the overarching strategy for the division’s communications and engagement work.
The manager role, which Stumpf vacated to become director, remains vacant.
According to the county’s statement, Stumpf was a key member of the regional joint information center during the COVID pandemic, while also serving as the information officer for the county’s police department, fire rescue and social services.
“Her work in developing regional partnerships for public information continued beyond the pandemic, expanding collaborative efforts to strengthen communication across the region,” reads the statement.
“I’m excited to lead a talented team of communications and engagement professionals to highlight the impactful work of Albemarle County employees and the essential programs and services they provide to our community,” Stumpf is quoted in the county statement. “In today’s fast-paced world, finding new and creative ways to ensure Albemarle County residents feel connected and informed is more important than ever. I’m eager to continue building relationships and ensuring we reach those we may not have connected with before.”
Stumpf has a degree in English from the University of Albany and more than 17 years of experience working in the public and nonprofit sectors, including a stint in Sacramento, California, where she oversaw communications for a nonprofit organization.
Source: www.dailyprogress.com
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