Julie Watters has been named Phoenix Public Information Director by City Manager Ed Zuercher, following a national recruitment. Watters comes from the city of Glendale where she spent 13 years, most recently as Communications Director. In Phoenix she will oversee the staff handling public information, and the city’s digital media team including the website, social media and the city TV station, Phoenix Channel 11.
Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher said, “Julie has a proven track record of strategic communication leadership. We are excited to welcome her to the Phoenix team.”
Since 2002, Watters served in various communication and leadership roles in Glendale in both the communications and fire departments. As Communications Director she oversaw Glendale’s public information office, city-owned TV station, Glendale Media Center, website, office of special events, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, creative services, and city convention center.
Watters worked on the 2015 and 2008 Super Bowls and has played a role in high-level communications projects on topics ranging from economic development projects to the city budget, complex management agreements, public safety education campaigns and day-to-day operational services. She has also been nominated for and received Emmy awards for her work at the city-owned TV station. Prior to her work in municipal government, she was an anchor and reporter at KPNX-TV, Channel 12, for more than eleven years.
“I’m so pleased to have this opportunity to live and work in the same community and to lead the Public Information team in sharing the city’s diverse messages locally, nationally and internationally,” said Watters.
Phoenix Deputy Aviation Director Deborah Ostreicher, has been running the Public Information Office since November and will be returning to the Aviation Department next month.
“Deborah Ostreicher has done an outstanding job of upping our game in communications and we are looking forward to continuing our outreach and communication to Phoenix residents with Julie Watters,” said Zuercher.
Watters begins with the city of Phoenix on June 15.
