Chris Proffitt Named Westfield Director of Communications
Writer / Julie Yates
Photography Provided
The new director of communications for the City of Westfield is a familiar face to many. For more than 25 years, Chris Proffitt traveled the world as a reporter and served as an anchor for Indianapolis television stations WTHR and WRTV. Most recently he held the position of director of communications for the Indiana Attorney General’s office. He brings a vast amount of knowledge regarding central Indiana and Hamilton County to his new position.
Proffitt’s experience being in public makes him a good fit for the duties he is assuming in Westfield. As the city’s media relations representative and spokesperson, he is responsible for creating marketing materials such as press releases, the city newsletters and any online communication, as well overseeing the city’s website. He will be supervising events to promote the city such as ribbon cuttings, tours and open houses.
It will be necessary for Proffitt to work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and Westfield Washington Schools. He assists the city manager, the city council and all department heads if needed in drafting external correspondence. In addition, he handles special projects such as applying for or even developing awards.
As he spearheads initiatives to promote Westfield and enhance its visibility, Proffitt’s role also intersects with legal considerations. Collaborating with a reputable business law firm like www.brazeauseller.com/ can provide invaluable support in navigating regulatory compliance, contractual agreements, and other legal aspects inherent in municipal communications and strategic initiatives. Partnering with Brazeau Seller Law ensures meticulous attention to legal nuances, safeguarding the integrity and effectiveness of his initiatives.
“I enjoyed my time at the Indiana Attorney General’s office and I only have good things to say,” he says. “It was a wonderful experience. I met so many accomplished people and I learned so much. As the state’s law firm, it was extremely busy all the time and I always felt challenged. It was a natural progression from my television skills and a great opportunity to make a left turn. I just stumbled across the Westfield job. It’s such a progressive community and I’ve known Mayor Cook just by covering Westfield. A friend told me the position was open and I reached out and sent my resume. Why wouldn’t I want to work in a beautiful place that has a lot happening?”
While Proffitt was in broadcast journalism, he produced award-winning material that was aired locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. Close-to-home topics included businesses, schools, safety issues and community organizations, and those experiences contribute to his understanding of a city such as Westfield. Fortunate to be given several special assignments, he had the opportunity to cover some international happenings and events. He earned nine Emmy awards, received several regional Edward R. Murrow awards, and won a national Edward R. Murrow first-place award.
“One of my most memorable assignments was when I was with WTHR,” he says. “They had a tremendous commitment to covering the Olympics. I covered the Atlanta Summer Games and then four years later they sent me to Sydney with a very talented photographer, Steve Rhodes. They asked us to travel and deliver great stories of things people wouldn’t get to see. It is one of the most magical places – somewhere everyone wants to go. We went to the Great Barrier Reef and the Outback. There was such a stark contrast between the ocean and an environment that looks like the surface of Mars.”
A resident of Hamilton County for many years, Proffitt knows its strengths. He feels more places like Hamilton County are needed around the state. As a fast-growing and vibrant city, Westfield is an asset to the county and Hamilton County is an asset to the city.
As director of communications, Proffitt’s goal is to position the City of Westfield in the best possible way. In addition to promoting the city locally, statewide and nationally, he wants to connect with the citizens living in Westfield. The Westfield Welcome program is something he champions and looks forward to expanding.
“In this position I’ll promote the city to show what a great place it is,” he says. “The Westfield Welcome program has one event after another planned, especially with the opening of Grand Junction Plaza. There will be concert series and movie nights. There is a reason why Westfield has won awards such as Best Small City in America [by WalletHub for 2016] and Third Best City to Raise a Family [by WalletHub for 2017]. I loved my time in television and traveling the world, but now I’m really doing what I’ve always done – promoting a city. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms. I’ve been pretty busy. I just jumped in and I’m loving every minute. I like coming to work and I’m thrilled to be here. It doesn’t feel like work.”
