Director of communications at Cabell County Schools is happy in his role
Apr 07, 2008 @ 08:55 PM
By BILL ROSENBERGER
The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON — Jedd Flowers isn’t a teacher and he doesn’t run a school, but he plays a big part in the day-to-day operations of Cabell County Schools.
Flowers, the county’s communications director since 2000, is responsible not only for creating news releases and serving as a spokesperson, but he also oversees marketing, Web site content, emergency and internal communications, video and advertising.
“Primarily, I’m there to build relationships,” he said. “It’s about trying to be truthful and honest with people and help manage messages between people.
“Really, my job is not to be (public relations) for the school system, but make everyone else good at being spokespersons,” he added.
Often, Flowers’ workweek never seems to end, as he attends nearly every board meeting and major event at the schools. He said the only two people besides him that affect the entire county are the superintendent and the treasurer.
Flowers’ trek into the communications industry started early. He got his first job as a weekend disc jockey at WXVK at the age of 16. After graduating from Chesapeake High School, Flowers attended Marshall University, majoring in journalism with an emphasis on broadcast journalism.
While at Marshall, he got a job in production at WSAZ and later got the opportunity to be a producer and reporter. Midway through his collegiate career, Flowers switched his emphasis to public relations, if only because he was getting plenty of broadcast journalism experience at WSAZ and local radio stations, where he started “Viewpoint,” a show that is now hosted by former Huntington mayor Jean Dean.
Flowers graduated and took a job as the state communications officer for the Division of Forestry. But this position in Cabell County Schools probably suits him best. “I have a lot of educators in my family,” Flowers said. “And my dad worked in TV.”
But Flowers admitted he never expected the responsibilities he has today. In fact, he really thought he was just going to be writing press releases.
“I had no idea I was going to be a school leader,” Flowers said. “We’re all very much responsible.”
The hardest times, he said, have involved student deaths. And the three Cabell Midland boys who died in a car accident on their way to school in December was the worst for him. “The wreck in December … I was depressed for about a month,” he said, adding that he mentors a student at Huntington High School. “I really do care about people, and I take on the heaviness of what happens.”
But he calls the education community a close-knit group, each relying on each other in times of hardship and joy, and to get the job done.
“I do nothing by myself,” he said. “It’s all on the shoulders of other people. I set my goals to align with the district’s.”
Flowers said one of the toughest parts of the job is wrapping his mind around so much information. But he also lets county personnel speak for themselves.
“It really takes someone that really likes to learn,” he said. “I can’t be the expert, though. I’m more of a concierge, the medium to the people who have more expertise.”
He has been diligent in teaching staff to address negative headlines and to promote the good things happening in classrooms. He regularly updates the county’s Web site with positive news items, meeting announcements and community events.
Flowers also helped push to bring the Wide Area Rapid Notification (WARN) system to Cabell County Schools. It allows him to leave a message about countywide school closings or early dismissal information for just one school. The system then calls parents or guardians, and the message is disseminated in a short amount of time.
When Flowers does get time for himself, the 33-year-old can be found around auto auctions or reading about cars. He said he can tell a model from the slats on the front grill, and his dream car is a Porsche, although he’s happy with his Toyota Avalon.
“I’m not your typical PR person, with the slick suit,” Flowers said. “I’m just me, and I’m OK with that. And I think people respect that.”
Title: Communications Director, Cabell County Schools
Hometown: Chesapeake
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Age: 33
Hobbies: Googling, reading about cars and attending auto auctions
Dream car: Porsche
What he’s working on now: Developing podcasts for the Cabell County Schools Web site
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