HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson has a new Director of Communications and Community Engagement. Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff announced that Rebekah Starkey Keasling has taken on the position.

Keasling began her duties with the city on January 14, 2019. She comes to the city with more than 15 years of marketing and communications experience, most recently as the Director of Development and Communications for Interfaith Housing and Community Services where she oversaw a major rebrand earlier this year. In her role under the general direction of the city manager, Keasling will work to create and implement a unified communications strategy for the city to keep constituents informed while prioritizing transparency and civic engagement.

Keasling holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Northern Colorado and has been active in the community since she moved here in 2006. A member of Leadership Reno County class of 2013, Keasling has served on several local boards, currently serves on the Visual Communications Advisory Board for Hutchinson Community College, and is an active member of Rotary.