Kathy Kirk-Dantzler Named City of Rockville’s Director of Communication

Kathy Kirk-Dantzler, manager of the city’s Rockville 11 television station, will become the City of Rockville’s director of communication, and Director of Communication and Engagement Marylou Berg will become assistant city manager, effective next month, City Manager Rob DiSpirito announced.

The reassignments, which take effect Wednesday, Dec. 1, are “for the purpose of better addressing current organizational needs and Mayor and Council priorities,” DiSpirito said.

An Emmy Award-nominated senior news producer, Kirk-Dantzler has over 20 years of experience in TV production, station management, radio programming, writing and producing for television and radio, strategic communications planning, social media, broadcast journalism, and community outreach. She has led Rockville 11, channel 11 on county cable, since 2015, developing the station into a premier municipal TV operation.

“I am excited and honored to be Rockville’s next director of communication,” Kirk-Dantzler said. “I look forward to evolving the city’s communication to ensure that Rockville’s priorities to highlight its diversity, equity and inclusion continue to be part of the city’s community engagement and outreach.”

As part of the City Manager’s Office, the Public Information Division works to increase resident and employee understanding and awareness of, and participation in, city government programs, projects, and services. The division partners with city departments to coordinate a strategic approach to communication through city publications, the website, marketing, direct mail, the “Rockville Reports” newsletter, social media, email newsletters, Rockville 11, video on demand and other media.

Kirk-Dantzler will report to Deputy City Manager Angela Judge.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Kathy as part of our team,” DiSpirito said. “Her vision, energy and passion for improving communications with our residents, and within this city organization, will serve us all well.”

Berg will become assistant city manager, increasing executive-level administrative capability in the City Manager’s Office to better address Mayor and Council priorities and initiatives.

“I’m honored to have been asked to take a leadership role on the city manager’s executive team,” Berg said. “I love Rockville and I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute in this new way. Rockville has some of the best employees of any local government in the country, and I look forward to supporting their work.”

Berg began her service to the City of Rockville in 2005, as an assistant to the city manager, before becoming director of communication in 2008, where she developed and managed the Public Information and Community Engagement teams.

She has a Master in Public Administration from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in communication from the University of Colorado.

“Marylou possesses strong skills that she has developed in the 16 years that she has served the city,” DiSpirito said. “As a career professional, Marylou endeavors to play a larger role in the city’s overall success, while also being an advocate for employees through engagement and servant leadership.”

She will report to Judge, assisting with special projects and initiatives, and taking on assigned and ongoing responsibilities.

The City of Rockville operates under a council-manager form of government. The city manager is responsible to the Mayor and the Council for the day-to-day management of city operations. Under provisions of the city charter and code, the city manager prepares a budget for the Mayor and Council’s approval; recruits, hires and supervises staff; serves as the Mayor and Council’s chief administrative officer; implements Mayor and Council policies; and provides professional recommendations.