Submitted report
A familiar name to Hays Free Press readers has taken on an important role with the city of Kyle.
In September, the city welcomed Kim Hilsenbeck as its new Communications Specialist. Hilsenbeck, who has 20 years of media and communications experience, will lead the city’s media relations effort, among other tasks.
This newly created position, which was created during the Fiscal Year 2016 budget, pulls on her strengths and past experience in writing, public and media relations, communications, research, project management, community outreach and editing.
She will assist department heads in developing story ideas that provide timely, useful information to the media and Kyle residents. Hilsenbeck aims to expand Kyle’s social media presence and be a resource for local media, serving as a main point of contact.
She will also work with city staff to bring more continuity to each department’s webpage.
Hilsenbeck most recently headed up the newsroom at the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch as editor. Her duties also included writing for and editing the Hays County Echo, which is a monthly feature magazine.
Prior to that, Hilsenbeck was the communications manager and later a senior project manager for a survey research firm in Austin. She also worked for several years at a nonprofit special events organization in Bethlehem, PA.
Hilsenbeck earned an MA in Advertising (Account Planning) from the University of Texas at Austin. She also has a BA in Communications and Public Relations from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
She lives in Hays County with her husband and two children. Hilsenbeck is also a volunteer with Meal on Wheels in Kyle.
