[Archived] City Manager Announces Leadership Changes in City’s Office of Communications and Public Information

City Manager Announces Leadership Changes in the City’s Office of Communications and Public Information

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For Immediate Release: October 15, 2021

City Manager Mark Jinks announces recent leadership changes in the City of Alexandria’s Office of Communications and Public Information (OCPI).

Jinks announced the departure of the City’s long-time Director of Communications and Public Information, Craig Fifer. Fifer was recently appointed Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Commonwealth of Virginia by Governor Ralph Northam, effective October 25. He has been on executive loan to the Office of the Governor since January, supporting the administration’s coordination with local government partners on a number of key issues, including COVID-19 response efforts and vaccination roll-out. 

“We thank Craig for his 18 years of service to the City and are grateful for his innumerable contributions to our community. We have appreciated the opportunity to work with him during his initial time in the Governor’s office on issues that impact the City, as well as localities across Virginia. We look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship in this new capacity. We wish Craig well in this next step in his career,” said City Manager Mark Jinks. “Earlier this year, I appointed Sarah Graham Taylor as Assistant City Manager. In this position, she oversees the work of OCPI and provides strategic guidance and direction to the department. Sarah will lead the search for a new Director for this key City office.”

Taylor will continue to serve as the City’s Legislative Director, where she represents City Council’s legislative agenda before the Virginia General Assembly and U.S. Congress, and serves as the City’s primary liaison to the executive branches of state and federal government. She has had a 25-year career in legislative affairs, policy development, political strategy, public affairs and strategic communications. This work includes serving in public information positions for the City of Alexandria.

Since January, Kelly Gilfillen has served as Acting Director of OCPI, overseeing all citywide communications, and she will continue in this capacity. Gilfillen brings more than 20 years of marketing and communications experience to this position, with 15 years in the public sector in Alexandria and the City of Carlsbad, California. She joined the City in 2013 and has been serving as Marketing and Communications Manager for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. Gilfillen was responsible for implementing the department’s marketing and communications division, executing comprehensive data-based communication strategies and customer care initiatives. Gilfillen earned the Certified Public Manager credential from The George Washington University and is anticipated to receive a master’s degree in Public Administration from George Mason University in December 2021. 

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.