Published: December 3, 2024
Bartow, Fla. (Dec. 3, 2024) – County Manager Bill Beasley announced the confirmation of Amber Smith as Director of Polk County’s Communications Division today following her appointment by the Board of County Commissioners.
As Communications Director, Smith oversees a budget of approximately $1.2 million, 20 employees and the Communications Division’s daily operations. Smith will report directly to Deputy County
Manager Ryan J. Taylor.
“We are very excited to have Amber leading our Communications team,’’ Beasley said. “She brings more than 25 years of communications, marketing and public relations experience to the position. She also has previous experience leading in a county government communications role with Osceola County.’’
In addition to overseeing the Communications Division team and internal and external communications, Smith will also serve as the Executive Producer of PGTV, the county’s cable access television operations and video production services for county divisions.
Smith brings her experience in corporate, internal, and external communications, community relations, marketing, and media relations to her new role. She has most recently served as the Community Relations Manager for the AdventHealth Polk County market and previously served in a senior communications capacity for the hospital system for the past eight years. Prior to working in the healthcare industry, Smith spent 10 years handling communications and canvassing board duties for the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections Office. She started her professional career as a reporter at the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Bureau and worked for several newspapers before coming back to Polk County and working as the East Polk County reporter covering local governments for The Ledger.
Smith is a proud graduate of Leadership Polk Class XV as well as the Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class IX. She is currently serving as the Past President for the Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce. Smith is a 2023 graduate of the Polk Vision Public Service Leadership Class and is currently a member of the Inside Polk County School Board Class III. She is also a member of the Haines City/Northeast Polk Rotary Club and currently serves on several local high school advisory boards.
Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University and completed her master’s certification in election administration at Auburn University.