Santa Rosa County Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved the hiring of Sarah Whitfield as Public Information Officer.
“As a lifelong Santa Rosa County resident, I am honored to have this opportunity to step into the role of public information officer for the county,” Whitfield told South Santa Rosa News. “I am thankful for the mentors I have had over the years that have helped prepare me for this role. I am ready to serve the not only the residents of this county, but our employees and (board of county commissioners) as well.”
Whitfield began working for Santa Rosa County in 2010 after earning a bachelor’s degree in art with a specialization in graphic design from the University of West Florida. Whitfield is also a 2016 graduate of Leadership Santa Rosa and a 2005 graduate of Milton High School.
She started out as a library assistant and eventually moved to the public information office in 2014. She had been serving as Assistant Public Information Officer prior to being named Interim PIO earlier this year.
Her new salary is $68452.80.
“I think we made an excellent choice,” said District 2 Commissioner Bob Cole. “She’ll continue to do an outstanding job for the county and for the citizens.”
Additionally, Whitfield is actively involved in her community, serving president-elect/VP of membership for the Florida Public Relations Association Pensacola Chapter.
She is a co-leader of Living Truth Church’s Soul Sisters and acts as a buddy for children with disabilities on Sundays and during monthly respite programs. She also serves as secretary for One Heart Outreach, a group that performs acts of kindness throughout Santa Rosa County each year during the week leading up to Easter.
