New Salem Public Schools Communications Chief Named

SALEM, MA — A veteran of more than 20 years in communications and public relations — including 14 years as the sports information director at UMass-Lowell — is the new Director of Communications for Salem Public Schools.

Chris O'Donnell, who most recently worked for three years as the communications chief at Chelmsford Public Schools after previously leading the sports information department at UMass-Lowell, will be responsible for Salem's communications, public relations efforts and storytelling, website development and digital marketing initiatives.

He replaces Liz Polay-Wettengel, who left her position this summer for another employment opportunity.

O'Donnell received the 2012 Irving T. Marsh Award from the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Sports Information Directors Association for dedication and contributions to
the industry. Over his 14 years, Mr. O’Donnell mentored 14 students and interns into careers in
college athletics media relations.

A native of Clifton Park, N.Y., Mr. O’Donnell lives in Newburyport, with his wife, Carrie, the Executive Director of the Newburyport Education Foundation; and their sons, Christopher, a senior at St. Lawrence University, and Brady, a sophomore at Virginia Tech.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)