Carolyn Baldridge, the City of Vernon's new communications and grants manager, introducing herself to city council on Monday, Jan. 22 (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

15 Years Experience

City of Vernon welcomes new communications and grants manager

Jan 22, 2024 | 5:15 PM

The City of Vernon has hired a new manager of communications and grants.

Carolyn Baldridge was introduced to Vernon city council by Kevin Poole, Director of Corporate Administration and Deputy Chief Advisory Officer for the City of Vernon, at the regular meeting Monday, Jan. 22.

“Carolyn just recently joined us, just last week actually, she comes to us from the City of Pitt Meadows, where she’s been since 2017,” Poole told council.

“But a long career already in the communications field, [working for] Geoscience B.C., Fraser Health Authority, and way back in the day with the Ministry of Forests on the wildfire side.”

Speaking to council, Baldridge said she was thrilled to join the team at the City of Vernon and is familiar with the area.

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“I just moved from [Port Coquitlam] last week, I started last Monday,” Baldridge said.

“We have been vacationing in Vernon for the 15 years now, every summer we come for a week and hang out at Swan Lake and go paddleboarding on Kal Lake, so I’m really happy to be here. I have family in the area that also lives in Vernon, so it’s also nice to be close.”

She said the Vernon and Okanagan lifestyle was a big draw for taking the job.

We go paddleboarding, skiing, cycling and, of course, the proximity to wine country, so that’s one of my favourites, but I’m only allowed to have memberships at two clubs, my husband tells me,” Baldridge joked.

She brings 15 years of communications experience to the role, having worked in various fields including those mentioned by Poole as well as in education and radio broadcasting.

Baldridge was not available to speak with Vernon Matters following the regular meeting Monday, but an interview to learn more about her was scheduled for a later date.

Mayor Victor Cumming welcomed Baldridge, who will fill the role left by Christy Poirier last September.

“We were all very disappointed when Miss Poirier moved on for all kinds of good family reasons, that kind of things happens, but we’re really excited to have a new comms person with us,” Cumming told Vernon Matters.

“She’s already found herself in the deep end within very few days, so it’s really good for us that Miss Balrdridge has chosen Vernon for her current employment.

“And she has connections here, so she does understand some things about Vernon — boy that makes it better — and she’s off and running.”

Josh Winquist had been filling in as the communications manager between Poirier’s departure and the hiring of Baldridge, and he indicated previously to Vernon Matters that he would be returning to his previous role as communications officer in the department.