Placer County Hires New Director of Communications & Public Affairs

Published on January 16, 2015

Placer County has hired DeDe Cordell to fill the newly created position of Director of Communications and Public Affairs within the county’s Executive Office. Cordell, who started earlier this month, will be responsible for overseeing planning, organizing and directing the civic engagement, media communications, issues management, special events and neighborhood outreach services for the county.

Prior to starting with the county, Cordell was the Chief of Public Affairs for the Sacramento District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A Marysville native, Cordell graduated from Sacramento State University with a communications degree and is nearing completion of her master’s degree in management with a concentration in public relations from the University of Maryland University College. She has a broadcast news background, and has lived and worked in several cities throughout California, Germany, Washington, D.C. and even spent six months in Iraq as a civilian with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division. With her experience, skills and background, Cordell quickly emerged as the frontrunner in a diverse, talented and experienced field of more than 100 applicants.

“We created this position to focus on expanding outreach to both employees and the public,” said County Executive Officer David Boesch. “One of DeDe's priorities will be strategic communication planning, and expanding the use of technologies such as video and social media to better inform the public about county services.”

Cordell will also work with the Public Information Office staff to improve internal employee communications and create an environment of employee engagement. She will serve as the point person for media inquiries and work to ensure that the county’s view is told through accurate and balanced reporting.

“I’m thrilled to join the team here in Placer County,” said Cordell. “It’s really great to be able to use my skills to help tell the stories of the community that I so love being part of.  I love living in Placer County – and couldn’t be happier to be part of Team Placer.”

Cordell will join a staff of two communications professionals in the Public Affairs Office. She lives with her husband and young son in Rocklin.