SUSAN SCARLATA JOINS TOWN ADMINISTRATION AS
NEW COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
The Town of Jackson welcomes Susan Scarlata as its new Community Engagement Specialist. A native of Pittsburgh, Scarlata has lived among the skyscrapers of Hong Kong and San Francisco, and throughout both Colorado and Wyoming. She first headed west to attend Colorado College, and has called Jackson home for eight years. Scarlata has enjoyed working for a number of nonprofits in town, most recently the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole.
Before moving to Jackson, Scarlata taught literature and creative writing at various universities for a decade. She holds an MFA from Brown University and a PhD from the University of Denver and taught at both institutions. Scarlata has worked in communications, development, and programming, including as a speech writer and editor of a financial website. She is a published author and enjoys research and homing in on the most succinct way to convey messages. Outside of work, Scarlata is the editor of a literary press, and enjoys skiing, backpacking, yoga, and spending time with her family.
Scarlata joins Tyler Sinclair in the Town’s new Community Development Department. Sinclair, who has worked as a planner for both the Town and County for years, is shifting his role to focus on strategic, long-range efforts with Town Council including updates to the Comprehensive Plan and the Future Funding of Local Government.
“We are thrilled to be able to add someone of Susan’s background and knowledge to the Town of Jackson’s team,” Sinclair stated. “Susan’s expertise and understanding of our community and the challenges we face will be essential as we strive to better engage and communicate with the community about current opportunities and challenges coming in the future.”
Scarlata is tasked with public outreach and education to help the Town engage more in the community as it works to achieve long-term visions. She is working on strategic communications to convey all the Town does and illustrate how various initiatives align with and help achieve big picture, Comprehensive Plan goals. Scarlata joins Sinclair in strategic thinking and long-range planning, supporting Town Council, and building systems for government transparency as the Town seeks to maintain the amazing quality of life that exists today while striving to provide more that the community is asking for to ensure Jackson continues to thrive long into the future.
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