City names co-department heads of public information

Two current employees of the city of Springfield's Public Information Office will serve as co-interim department heads to fill the hole left by Public Information Officer Louise Whall, whose last day is Thursday.

Vince Crunk and Mike Brothers will share leadership responsibilities for the department beginning Thursday, the city announced Tuesday. Crunk is the production manager for the CityView television station, while Brothers is the department's special products coordinator.

Knauer announced in March that she is taking a position as senior vice president of communications and marketing for Community Foundation of the Ozarks. A new person will not be hired for the job during the city's ongoing hiring freeze.

Crunk has been with the city for more than 15 years, while Brothers joined the city staff three years ago after working for the Springfield News-Leader.

"Vince and Mike each bring a set of skills to the department that will complement the other person's very well," City Manager Greg Burris said in a news release. "I know they'll do a great job handling the department's various efforts to communicate with the community."[[In-content Ad]]