Mayor Sly James has a new press secretary. Michael Grimaldi, a former newspaper reporter and public relations professional, will replace Joni Wickham in the post. Wickham was promoted to the mayor’s chief of staff in October.
Here’s more about Grimaldi from the mayor’s office:
Grimaldi most recently was Senior Communications Consultant at Trozzolo Communications Group, a Kansas City-based advertising, marketing and public relations firm. Additionally, he was Director of Issues Management at Corporate Communications Group in Overland Park, Kansas and was also an award-winning journalist at newspapers in Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri, including 10 years at The Kansas City Star.
“Michael is a native Kansas Citian with a long-time commitment to the community and the region. My entire team is excited to welcome him to our office,” said Mayor James. “I’m looking forward to tapping into his vast experience to elevate Kansas City further on the national and international stage.”
“I am privileged to serve Mayor James and my hometown doing work that I love to do, communicating about a vibrant community with a can-do spirit,” Grimaldi said. “I believe Mayor James is driving Kansas City’s rising reputation, and I consider it an honor to join him and his staff.”
In 2014, the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America honored Grimaldi with the Roger Yarrington Public Relations Professional of the Year Award. In the community, Grimaldi is a volunteer with the Heart of America Council of the Boy Scouts of America, a member of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Connectors Committee at Park University and an usher-greeter at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Grimaldi lives in the Astor Place neighborhood of south Kansas City with his wife, Carol. They are parents of an adult son, Joseph Grimaldi, Washington, D.C.
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