February 2025

As the Digital Specialist for Mayor Andy Berke, I like to say I impersonated him online. It took quite a lot of trust to allow me -a new to Chattanooga Upstate New Yorker - to have access to these platforms. I probably should have been asked to resign when I misspelled the name of the town of Hixson the first week on the job in a twitter post. I am thankful I wasn’t. 

This is one of my most favorite positions in public service. I learned the art of photography and videography, how to use social media to create and drive a narrative, public speaking, the humility and empathy of quality crisis communication, and how to project manage incredibly important high-profile public events - some with hundreds of people in attendance. Events such as; Inauguration 2017, State of the City 2018, and the Swearing-In Ceremonies for Chief Roddy to lead the Chattanooga Police Department and Chief Hyman to lead the Chattanooga Fire Department. 

With the autonomy, I made space for the Department of Transportation, Office of Sustainability and other not well known city services, without a social media account of their own, to “take over” the Mayor’s account for #TakeoverTuesdays. This was a valuable way to gain trust among the City’s incredibly talented workforce and highlight all of the incredible work the City of Chattanooga does for the community. This is also where I began my Canva journey and I’ve paid for a pro-license ever since. 

Most of all I enjoyed being out in the community with Mayor Andy Berke and our team. At elementary schools for Read Across America week, the city-organized annual Day of Service on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, monthly Burgers with Berke, the many ribbon cutting ceremonies, concerts and so much more. I carry my memories of the Mayor’s incredible ability to captivate an audience, with me now while reading Pete the Cat, to my son. I am thankful for my time in this position and all I learned from the Mayor and the team.

- colline.