NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – Josh Smith has been selected to serve as New Hanover County’s Chief Communications Officer beginning Tuesday, July 11.
Smith comes to New Hanover County Government after serving as the Chief Communications Officer for New Hanover County Schools since 2021. He takes over the role following the promotion of Jessica Loeper to Assistant County Manager in April.
“Our county’s Communications and Outreach team does an outstanding job providing information to the public and our media partners about the initiatives and opportunities taking place within New Hanover County,” said County Manager Chris Coudriet. “We’re excited to see that standard of excellence continue under Josh’s leadership as he brings vast experience in communications and familiarity with our community to the position.”
A West Virginia native, Smith holds an undergrad in political science from Virginia Tech and a master’s in strategic public relations from George Washington University.
Prior to his work for New Hanover County Schools, Smith spent more than two decades in the Marine Corps, including time as a leader in strategic communications since 2010 and Communications Director at Marine Corps Headquarters in the Pentagon from 2019 until his retirement from the Corps in 2021.
Under his leadership, New Hanover County Schools has won numerous awards, including a Best of the Best honor for Excellence in Writing and an additional 29 Blue Ribbon Awards from the North Carolina School Public Relations Association just last year.
“I am excited and humbled to have the chance to guide the amazingly talented Communications and Outreach team here at New Hanover County,” Smith said. “Getting to know the people who call this place home and understand our community the last few years has been tremendously rewarding, and I’m looking forward to continuing to serve our citizens in this new role.”
Learn more about New Hanover County Communications and Outreach by clicking here.