By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – Marshfield officials have hired Tom Loucks as the city’s director for its new communications department.

Loucks is leaving a position as multimedia coordinator for the city of Wisconsin Rapids to take the position in Marshfield, which begins Jan. 14.

Loucks is a Winona, MN, native. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications, with a minor in geography from Winona State University.

He and his wife Angie have two daughters – Hannah and Rachel – and reside in the Plover area. Angie is the marketing/communications and volunteer center director with the United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties.

“I have over 25 years of experience in the journalism field.  I was mentored back in 1989, while in high school by a local newspaper photojournalist, which led me into the field of journalism,” said Loucks. “I’ve worked for several newspaper companies over my career and in 2011; I left my position as the visual editor for Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers to take a new position as the public access coordinator for the city of Wisconsin Rapids. Over my tenure, I provided a high-level of communications not only through the public access television and streaming channels, but also working with department heads, the mayor, and elected officials by developing and maintaining new communication methods to effectively reach residents.”

Loucks said that he will work to efficiently provide communications to all demographics.

“I will be working closely with the city administrator, mayor and department heads on developing new methods and updating current methods in order to communicate effectively to the residents in the city,” he said. “Providing information to the public is key for the residents to be engaged in the community, which will make the city be more efficient. There are numerous ways to communicate so it’s imperative I work closely with leaders in the Marshfield community. I am a good listener and open minded to new ideas, so please reach out to me.

“There is a lot to do and I have priorities already set on my Gantt chart.  The Charter Spectrum Cable Channel 991 (City Government Channel) will be one of first pieces of communications so we can bring city meetings back ‘live’ to those residents who rely on the channel for their information.”

Loucks said that volunteers will be crucial to the operations of the department.

“Volunteers for MCTV (Marshfield Community Television) are going to be a key component for the station to grow and become engaged in the community and city government.

“I will get to work with professional and passionate people in the city and in the community who really want to make the Marshfield community a special place to live, work and play,” he added. “I can’t wait to make a positive impact for the city, which I did in Wisconsin Rapids on a daily basis. It’s hard to leave all the connections I’ve made in Wisconsin Rapids but I will get the chance to do it all again in Marshfield.”