Columbia names new public communications officer

Renee Graham will become the city of Columbia’s new public communications officer on March 5. She’ll replace Robert Ross, who retired in January.

Graham will coordinate the city’s community visioning education and outreach strategy and the international Sister Cities programs. She will also supervise the city’s print and mail services.

Graham has worked for the city since 1990 as tourism, marketing and communications manager for the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Her duties included group tour marketing and cooperative advertising. She was also responsible for the development and content of the Columbia visitor’s guide and the bureau’s Web site.

She was selected from a field of 83 candidates. The job pays $56,152 per year.