City of Traverse City’s Communications Department Expanded to the Department of Communications and Strategic Initiatives
This week, City Manager Benjamin Marentette signed an Administrative Order elevating the Communications Department to the Department of Communications and Strategic Initiatives.
What This Means for City Government in Traverse City
The Department of Communications and Strategic Initiatives will:
- Support alignment and accountability across departments related to the City’s OKRs and Strategic Action Plan
- Maintain public-facing dashboards and internal tracking tools to help monitor progress
- Provide organization-wide and public reporting on key initiatives
- Help coordinate major strategic and organizational initiatives
- Support transparency in how resources are allocated and track outcomes
The department will work closely with leadership and departments across the City organization to ensure the employee team has clarity around priorities, expectations, and progress. This department will also provide clarity and transparency to the community surrounding our progress, elevating awareness and accountability.
To support the expanded responsibilities of this department, one full-time equivalent (FTE) position, through attrition, will be reallocated to this department.
Looking Ahead
The City’s goal is to better connect the important work happening across departments, provide clearer visibility into progress, and ensure it remains aligned with our strategic priorities. This structure is designed to support the community by improving coordination, communication, and organizational transparency.
City Manager Benjamin Marentette proudly states, “Communications Director Colleen Paveglio has been a tremendous asset to our organization. I am thrilled to announce she will now serve as Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives. Many are familiar with Ms. Paveglio’s work and have seen firsthand the leadership she brought to the development and adoption of TC’s first-ever Strategic Action Plan. Colleen’s efforts to professionalize and greatly enhance the City’s connection to the community through clear, open messaging has been game-changing for how we connect with those we serve and bring them in.”
Marentette continues, “In Ms. Paveglio’s elevated role, she and her team will work closely with me and our employee team to ensure our strategic priorities continue to move forward in a coordinated, transparent, and measurable fashion. Colleen’s dedication, professional expertise in communications, community development and project management, as well as her genuine love for our community are why she is the perfect fit for this new, important and transformational function.”
“I am deeply grateful for the confidence placed in me and honored to step into this expanded role. As a resident of the city, this community is home, and I care deeply about the passion and pride that define it. Over the past 18 months, I had the privilege of leading the development of the City’s first Strategic Action Plan — a truly community-driven effort that reinforced the importance of transparency, accountability, and meaningful engagement. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our communications, supporting my colleagues in their important work, and ensuring our strategic priorities remain clear, measurable, and rooted in community,” stated Colleen Paveglio, Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives.
Paveglio holds a Bachelor of Arts & Science in Communications from Michigan State University and has served in public service capacities in Traverse City for two decades, spanning areas including marketing, communications, project management, election administration, community development and placemaking, and special events.