New communications director hired at $93K salary

Montgomery County officials have hired a new director of communications after the much-lamented retirement of Frank Custer in May.

Lorie Slass, of Elkins Park, will start her role as director Aug. 1. She comes to the county after spending the past nine years working for the American Board of Internal Medicine, where she has served as senior vice president of communications since 2013.

“Lorie’s communications experience spans the public health policy sector, nonprofit sector, and private sector, which makes her uniquely qualified to be the director,” Commissioner Val Arkoosh said in a press release. “She will bring a diverse set of skills and talent to her new role and I look forward to working with her on our senior team.”

The hire was approved Thursday during a meeting of the county’s Salary Board. The board approved Slass’ starting salary as a full-time employee of $93,000 per year.

Slass studied communications as an undergraduate at Tulane University and as a graduate at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication. Before her position at the American Board of Internal Medicine, she also worked for the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Annenberg Public Policy Center and several other organizations throughout her career.

“Lorie will be key in crafting the message that the county is a great place to live, work, and visit. She will also be a tremendous asset in broadcasting both our strong record of past accomplishments and the future initiatives we have on deck to make our services even better,” Commissioners’ Chairman Josh Shapiro said in the release.