City of Columbia, MO
05/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/15/2026 14:13
Community members invited to attend meet and greet with Communications director candidates, May 20
P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2026
CONTACT: Christian Tabak
Interim Communications and Creative Services Manager
Communications Department
City of Columbia
[email protected]create new email
425.209.6344
Community members invited to attend meet and greet with Communications director candidates, May 20
(COLUMBIA, MO) - The City of Columbia will host a meet and greet open to the public with the final candidates for the City's Communications director position May 20 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Columbia Training Center, 500 E. Walnut St., Suite 108.
During the meet and greet, members of the public will have the opportunity to drop in anytime between 5 and 6:30 p.m. to speak with the finalists. Light refreshments will be provided.
Information about each candidate is listed below:
Christopher Ave
Christopher Ave has more than 30 years of experience working in journalism and strategic communications. He currently works as the director of media relations and public affairs at the University of Missouri.
His previous roles include director of communications with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and political and national editor with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Ave's education includes a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.
Rob Jones
Rob Jones has more than 10 years of experience working in strategic communications. He currently works as director of marketing and communications for the University of Missouri Extension.
His previous roles include director of the Missouri Education Business Incubator with the University of Missouri and director of research insights and innovation communication with Teach for America.
Jones' education includes a doctoral degree in strategic communications from the University of Missouri.
Shayne Martin
Shayne Martin has more than 12 years of experience working in strategic communications. He currently serves as public information officer with the Missouri Office of Administration.
His previous roles include deputy director of the National Office of Communications with the USDA Forest Service, public affairs specialist at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Communications Director at the U.S House of Representatives.
Martin's education includes a master's degree in defense and strategic studies from Missouri State University
Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email [email protected]create new email. In order to assist staff in making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of the posted meeting date as possible.
During the meet and greet, members of the public will have the opportunity to drop in anytime between 5 and 6:30 p.m. to speak with the finalists. Light refreshments will be provided.
Information about each candidate is listed below:
Christopher Ave
Christopher Ave has more than 30 years of experience working in journalism and strategic communications. He currently works as the director of media relations and public affairs at the University of Missouri.
His previous roles include director of communications with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and political and national editor with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Ave's education includes a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.
Rob Jones
Rob Jones has more than 10 years of experience working in strategic communications. He currently works as director of marketing and communications for the University of Missouri Extension.
His previous roles include director of the Missouri Education Business Incubator with the University of Missouri and director of research insights and innovation communication with Teach for America.
Jones' education includes a doctoral degree in strategic communications from the University of Missouri.
Shayne Martin
Shayne Martin has more than 12 years of experience working in strategic communications. He currently serves as public information officer with the Missouri Office of Administration.
His previous roles include deputy director of the National Office of Communications with the USDA Forest Service, public affairs specialist at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Communications Director at the U.S House of Representatives.
Martin's education includes a master's degree in defense and strategic studies from Missouri State University
Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email [email protected]create new email. In order to assist staff in making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of the posted meeting date as possible.
City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.
City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.
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City of Columbia, MO published this content on May 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 15, 2026 at 20:13 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]