The city of Vancouver’s new communications manager will start Monday.
Carol Bua, who has worked in the same role for Tidewater since 2009, was hired by City Manager Eric Holmes to replace Barbara Ayers, whose last day was April 30.
Ayers resigned to relocate back to the Columbia River Gorge, where she planned to pursue freelance writing and a publishing career, said Suzi Hagstrom, the city’s human resources director.
Ayers was earning $101,316 a year.
Bua, 50, will start at $100,008 annually, Hagstrom said.
The job posting attracted 135 applicants. Five candidates were invited to participate in interviews with panels of other communication specialists in the community along with city employees.
Bua and two other finalists were then interviewed by Holmes.
Bua grew up in Seattle and has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in strategic communications from the University of Oregon.
She started her career in Los Angeles, working for five years in marketing for MGM/United Artists and RCA Records/BMG Music then a dozen years as director of marketing and communications for an entertainment company owned by musician Henry Rollins.
Switching from the entertainment industry in Los Angeles to the shipping industry in Vancouver was prompted by the desire to be closer to family, Bua said.
Bua, an outgoing member of the board of directors for the Parks Foundation of Clark County and graduate of Leadership Clark County, said she quickly became connected to the community through Tidewater Transportation and Terminals’s corporate giving program.
“I really enjoy living here and I wanted to work in the public sector,” said Bua, who lives in the Northwest neighborhood with her husband. When she saw the city position advertised, “I just thought this could really be my dream job.”
Public-sector experience was not a requirement for the city job, Holmes said.
“Carol has nearly 20 years of professional experience, and over her career she has demonstrated the ability to successfully adapt across industries,” Holmes said. “This, combined with her education and professional skills and approach that she demonstrated through her interview process with me, made her the top candidate.”
As communications manager, Bua will directly supervise four employees and oversee a total staff of 20, which includes 12 part-time and temporary workers. She’ll be responsible for creating and implementing the city’s communications efforts across multiple platforms, including CVTV, the city’s website, social and print media. Those duties include advising Holmes and department directors on public outreach efforts.
