The Office of Communications and Community Relations is responsible for the timely, accurate release of information. Staff members are the official spokespeople for WSSC and manage all media relations and crisis communications. They handle press inquiries, promote WSSC's people and services, write informational materials and plan news conferences and media events. The office conducts a variety of community outreach activities and tailors communication programs for WSSC projects. They also prepare web site content as well as an array of publications, including WSSC's annual report, the Pipeline quarterly bill insert and brochures. The office also assists with internal communications by distributing WSSC's electronic employee newsletter. Additionally, they help many employees learn to be better WSSC ambassadors by teaching media and crisis communications seminars.

CommunicatIOns and Community Relations Group Managers

John C. White

Public Affairs

Public Affairs Group staff members, in addition to the Director, are the official spokespeople for WSSC and manage all media relations and crisis communications. They handle press inquiries, promote WSSC's people and services, write informational materials and plan news conferences and media events. The group conducts a variety of community outreach activities and tailors communication programs for major WSSC projects. They also prepare website content and produce an array of publications, including WSSC's Water Quality Report, the Annual Report, the Pipeline customer newsletter and brochures. The group is also the primary driver for daily internal communications. Team members create and distribute the employee newsletter and operate the digital signage system Splash. The group also works with other department to communicate minor and major issues, programs and policies to all WSSC employees and produces WSSC videos and coordinates social media efforts.

Kimberley M . Knox

Community Outreach

The Community Outreach Group coordinates the staffing for WSSC participation in over 50 annual community events, such as county fairs and community days in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Community Outreach is also responsible for educational programs about the world of water and wastewater. The group coordinates approximately 50 classroom presentations each year through the “WSSC in the Classroom” programs, including the innovative Sewer Science presentation. They coordinate the Mentoring Program providing guidance and academic support to students in Prince George's and Montgomery county. In addition, they conduct environmental tours of WSSC’s wastewater treatment plants and of the watershed. The group works with community volunteers, high school students and college students on environmental stewardship projects, such as planting trees, picking up trees and removing invasive weeds. Staffers are the architects of WSSC events such as the H2O Fest and the Children’s Water Festival as well as internal events for employees and United Way and other campaigns such as the canned food drive.