5 Questions With Jamie Page

Williamson Source 5 Questions

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Jamie Page

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Jamie Page-headshotJamie Page spent 14 years as a professional newspaper journalist primarily covering local and state governments, growth and development, environment, and public policy. He left the field with more than 15 journalism awards.  He is currently the Communications Officer for the City of Spring Hill municipal government.

1

Where did you grow up?
I grew up on a farm in rural northern Gibson County, which is just north of Jackson-Madison County in West Tennessee.

2

What was your first job ever?
My first real job was working on the family farm, which began at age 12 and continued throughout high school and college. I worked most days after school, and during the summer I worked six to seven days a week, 12-16 hours per day. It truly prepared me for college and life in general as it gave me tremendous work ethic, problem-solving skills and the ability to deal with some of the most adverse conditions. My dad and his brother still operate the farm, which includes a total of about 3,800 acres of owned and leased farmland. They grow corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton, and raise about 100 head of beef cattle.

3

Tell me about your current job. What attracted you to it?
I am the Communications Officer for the City of Spring Hill municipal government. I am in charge of public communications on behalf of the City. I handle media relations, including responding to public records requests, giving interviews for print and broadcast, coordinating interviews for public officials, tracking down facts and information, and writing news releases and media advisories.

In order to be able to stay informed, so that I can inform the media, I attend most of the city’s wide range of meetings (ie. Board of Mayor & Aldermen, Planning Commission, some committee meetings, public town hall meetings, and networking events etc.). I manage all of the City’s social media sites, including two Facebook pages, Twitter and Instagram pages. I also serve as the City’s website administrator, keeping the site regularly updated with fresh information and developing new web pages to expand the site. I take photos at city events to update social media and our website about city projects and programs. I also create educational and promotional videos and graphic illustrations. I work with advertising reps to ensure the City is represented in key publications. I also write speeches and talking points for the mayor’s public speaking engagements.

I was drawn to the City of Spring Hill because of what I witnessed while covering the City as a reporter. I saw that the City employees worked extremely hard and I believe the current board is sincere in its endeavors to improve this community. I’m glad to represent a City in which I feel confident that the work we’re doing is honest and for the right reasons; that is, to create the greatest overall benefit to the citizens.

4

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
I’m thrilled to be a part of one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. I have always avoided ho hum, and sought jobs that were challenging, that allow me to continue learning. And because Spring Hill is growing so rapidly, without question it has its challenges, but that’s a great problem to have. I get to be in the middle of the action, and I never stop learning. That’s what I genuinely enjoy about working at the City of Spring Hill. There’s a plethora of construction, new programs, new interesting people moving in, and events going on all the time, and I feel like I am able to contribute a small piece to the City’s success.

5

Favorite weekend activity?
It’s a close tie between bicycling with my wife, Heather, playing guitar, and reading. I’m 39, and I’ve never stopped riding a bicycle since I was 4-years-old. I have been playing guitar for about 25 years, and time to play is something I never get enough of. I enjoy a wide range of reading, but admittedly my favorite books are among classic literature titles.

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