David Green named Grand Rapids’ communications director

Published on October 29, 2020

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – City Manager Mark Washington has appointed David Green to serve as the City of Grand Rapids’ next communications director. Green currently serves as public information and marketing manager in Austin, Texas, where he is responsible for citywide media relations and organizational communications. His selection comes after a competitive national search.

As Grand Rapids’ communications director, Green will oversee the Office of Communications and provide support and counsel to the City Commission and executive office in all communications matters related to the City. He will lead the development and implementation of a strategic communications plan aligned with the City’s strategic priorities, including the coordination and improvement of external communications programs in partnership with neighborhood, business and other community leaders.

A United States Army veteran, Green has dedicated himself to public service and government leadership for 25 years. During his 20 years as a senior public affairs non-commissioned officer, he worked extensively with major global media outlets, private companies and local, state and federal governments in six countries across three continents. This included time as an embedded military fellow with Google in Washington, DC, where he helped to develop new partnerships between federal agencies, Google and the broader community.

“David is exactly the kind of leader we need to continue building and advancing our communications,” Washington said. “He is a proven leader and brings a unique worldview of communications to Grand Rapids. His collaborative approach to leading and problem solving reflects the values we’ve established through our strategic plan.”

Green has extensive experience in developing and managing strategic communications campaigns, crisis communications and consequence management, community engagement and public outreach. In Austin, he has played a leadership role in a wide range of projects, including the recruitment of a Major League Soccer franchise, development of community-informed mobility strategies and – most recently – the reimagining of policing.

“Government communications is a passion for me. I’m honored to be able to serve the Grand Rapids community, and to help the City realize the goals it has set forth in its strategic plan,” Green said. “Grand Rapids’ reputation for excellence is growing, both as a city and as an organization. This feels like a unique opportunity to build on our communications and do so in a way that’s equitable and informed by the community.”

Green holds a master’s degree from the University of Texas and a bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey.

Green becomes communications director effective Monday, Dec. 14.