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Communications & Marketing
The Communications Department is to manage and facilitate effective communication both internally and externally. It is responsible for crafting and disseminating the organization's messages to various stakeholders, including employees, customers, partners, investors, and the general public.
Key functions and objectives of the Communications Department include:
Public Relations: Building and maintaining a positive image and reputation of the organization through media relations, press releases, and managing public perception.
Internal Communications: Facilitating effective communication within the organization, ensuring that employees are well-informed about company news, policies, and updates.
Media Management: Handling interactions with journalists, media outlets, and coordinating press conferences and media interviews.
Brand Management: Ensuring consistent branding across all communications to maintain a strong and recognizable brand identity.
Crisis Communications: Developing strategies to manage and respond to crises or negative events that may impact the organization's reputation.
Marketing Communications: Collaborating with marketing teams to create campaigns and materials that align with the organization's overall communication strategy.
Digital and Social Media: Managing the organization's presence on digital platforms, engaging with online audiences, and leveraging social media as a communication channel.
Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with various stakeholders, such as investors, partners, and communities, to maintain positive relationships and ensure transparent communication. Communications and Marketing also oversees the Citizens Academy.
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Merissa Green
Communications and Marketing ManagerPhone: 863-421-3600
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Beyonca West Augustin
Communications and Marketing SpecialistPhone: 863-421-3600 Ext. 5646
A graduate of Florida A&M University, Merissa Green began her career in journalism in 2000 and has been recognized nationally and internationally for her murder investigations, including the case of Lakeland lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare. Merissa has been featured on every major true crime show, including E! Investigates, CNBC’s American Greed, Oxygen’s Snapped, BET’s Murder in the Thirst, and TV One’s Sins of a City. She has also appeared on two streaming platforms: Web of Death on Hulu and Floribama Murders on the Oxygen Network. In March 2025, she appeared on ABC’s 20/20: Unlucky Numbers.
In 2008, Merissa participated in the New York Times Leadership Academy at Harvard University. She transitioned to public relations in 2013 as the City of Auburndale’s first communications manager, where she oversaw press communications, crisis communications, social media, and special events. She was instrumental in creating the city’s Comic Book Convention, which brought celebrities from television and film.
Merissa later spent five years with Polk County Public Schools as the senior coordinator of special events and international teachers. She is a dedicated community advocate, serving on the United Way of Central Florida Board and assisting annually with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
Her accolades include being the 2013 recipient of the Winter Haven Girls Inc. She Knows Where She Is Going Award and the 2017 recipient of the Polk Emerging Leaders Award. She is an alumna of Leadership Polk and a member of the Florida Public Relations Association (Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter). Most recently, Merissa was selected for the 2025–26 Class of Leadership FPRA and was honored at the FPRA Summit with the Rising Leader Award.
Beyonca West previously served in the Marketing and Communications role with the City of Davenport, where she supported city departments and leadership through strategic communications, press releases, social media management, branding initiatives, event promotion, and internal and external communications. In addition to her municipal experience, West Served as the Marketing Manager for United Protective Security Services, where she supported branding, and communication strategies within the private sector.
A Haines City native, West brings a strong understanding of the community she now serves. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Bethune Cookman University, where she developed a foundation in public relations, media communications, and organizational messaging.
In her role with the City of Haines City, West will work alongside Green, by assisting with promoting city programs and initiatives, enhancing public information efforts, and supporting the City’s communication strategy across various platforms.