City information director joining Community Foundation

The city's public information director is leaving to take a position with Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

Louise Whall Knauer is resigning from the city of Springfield, effective April 30, to join CFO as senior vice president of communications and marketing, according to a city news release.

Knauer has been the city's public information director since January 2001, having worked in Springfield media since 1983, the release said.

"It is difficult to leave the city, especially our wonderful PIO staff and supportive leadership team colleagues, city managers and councilmembers," Knauer said in the release. "But I have been inspired for many years by the Community Foundation's impressive impact on Springfield and all across our region."

The department of public information is responsible for media and community relations, handling citizen service requests, coordinating the city's Web content and video services, coordinating special events, and multimedia design and production.

City Manager Greg Burris will announce soon how the city will distribute Whall Knauer's job duties, as her position will not be filled during the ongoing city hiring freeze, the release said.

"Louise has always exemplified professionalism, hard work and political astuteness," Burris said in the release. "While it is the city's loss, I'm certain she will apply those same qualities to her work at the CFO."