The City of Salisbury hired its new communications director this week.

City Manager Lane Bailey said the city hired Linda McElroy on Wednesday to the communications director position. She most recently served as a public information specialist for the Virginia State Bar in Richmond, Va. At the Virginia State Bar, she led advertising efforts for two magazines, served as a liaison to the litigation section’s board of governors and managed an annual essay competition for high school students, according to a news release.

She has also worked for the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority as a public relations manager, Henrico County Public Schools in Virginia as a public information specialist, the Noland Company in Newport News, Va., as a corporate communications specialist, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as a public relations associate and Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., as a public relations and special events representative.

In her new role, McElroy will make $70,000 per year, according to Bailey. McElroy’s first day is scheduled to be Sept. 28.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from Strayer University — a private, for-profit college with campuses in multiple states. According to her online resumé, McElroy graduated from Slippery Rock University in 1996 and Strayer University in 2007.

McElroy volunteers with the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross. She is a former board member of the Public Relations Society of America Richmond Chapter and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Williamsburg.

In response to McElroy’s hiring, Bailey said he was excited to have her as part of the leadership team. McElroy brings a wealth of experience to the City of Salisbury, Bailey said in a news release.

Similarly, McElroy said she was excited to join the city’s staff and said being a part of the Salisbury community was an amazing opportunity.

“From the moment I first visited the area, I have found the people of Salisbury to be no less than friendly and engaging,” she said. “I look forward to working with City Manager Bailey, the staff and members of the community in moving Salisbury forward.”

For months, City Clerk Myra Heard has handled many of the duties traditionally associated with the city’s communications director.

Prior to that, the city’s communications director was Elaney Hasselman, who quit June 18, 2014. She received a total severance package of $32,746.65. It included more than 80 hours of annual leave, four months of salary and four months of health insurance.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.