Decatur Hires New Planner, Communications Specialist

DECATUR, GA -- A new city planner and communications specialist have joined the team at the City of Decatur.

Both new hires started work Monday, the city said in a news release.

Courtney Frisch has joined the city's Planning and Zoning division as a new city planner.

She comes to Decatur from the City of Roswell, where she worked as a transportation planner.

While with Roswell, she worked on projects that included a sidewalk analysis and policy change, the Jones Road Corridor study and creating and maintaining an interactive online map of current and future transportation projects.

A Decatur resident and graduate of Decatur High School, Frisch received her bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University and Master of Science degree from Florida State University.

"There is something to be said for working for the community in which I was raised and am now raising my own family," Frisch said in a news release. "I am so honored to be a part of the City of Decatur team and am passionately looking forward to continually improving the quality of life for both the residents and visitors of Decatur."

Renae Madison was hired as Decatur's new communications specialist.

She comes to the post after nine years working with the citizens of Decatur.

She has spearheaded public relations campaigns following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, community outreach and feed-the-homeless initiatives, media networking events and social media campaigns and writing for various blogs.

She holds a bachelor's degree from Xavier University in New Orleans.

"I am dedicated to the city’s mission to work with the citizens to meet the needs of the community while serving with respect and integrity," Madison said in a release. "I believe it is important to build relationships and keep a constant line of communication open in order to carry out this mission."

Madison will be responsible for the city newsletter, website, social media accounts and other communications, including serving as the city's public information officer.