Today, Lisa Thurber joins Johnson County Government as the first director of the new Department of Communications and Engagement.

Thurber’s nearly 25 years of public relations, communication and marketing experience includes local government, higher education, international corporate, creative agency and nonprofit sectors. She has experience building communication and marketing teams, providing communications support to senior executives, overseeing brand alignment and improving reach and transparency.

For the past five years, Thurber has served as the City of Fayetteville’s Director of Communications and Marketing. Her responsibilities included directing the work of the department’s communications and media services divisions; developing messaging for the Mayor, Chief of Staff and other senior leaders; and serving on the Mayor’s senior leadership cabinet, supporting his communication needs and providing guidance on policies and public positioning.

“We were impressed with Lisa’s leadership, change management and strategic communication experience, the diversity of sectors in her career path and examples of outcomes she has achieved in her various roles,” said County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson.

"Johnson County provides an incredible array of services and resources for its residents, and I look forward to helping the county strengthen its efforts to connect and engage across the community,” said Lisa Thurber, Director of Communications and Engagement.  “I am truly honored to join such a talented, dedicated group of public servants and lead a team that supports and promotes the important work being done across all county departments."