Cherokee County government recently launched a Communications Division to keep the public informed, share news about happenings in the county, and create publications for various departments.

I have been evaluating the need for a Communications Division for the county government for quite some time, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the need for this key department, said County Manager Jerry Cooper. This division will work closely with departments countywide to step up the level of communication with our residents, property owners, and business owners in Cherokee County.

Erika Neldner was hired as the communications director, and Andrea Barker was promoted to assistant communications director.

Neldner has lived and worked in Cherokee County for 15 years. Her professional career includes working as a reporter, assistant editor, and managing editor of the Cherokee Ledger-News, where she wrote about the Cherokee County community and its residents and covered governmental meetings for multiple cities in the county.

Most recently, she served as the director of marketing and communications for Reinhardt University where she was charged with producing the annual Reinhardt Magazine, creating departmental marketing materials, and serving as the main media contact for the institution.

Neldner earned the Cherokee Chamber of Commerces Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch Award, as well as many Georgia Press Association and National Newspaper Association awards for her work as a journalist. She is the current president of the Rotary Club of Towne Lake.

Im honored to join the county government in this role and am eager to launch a Communications Division from the ground up, Neldner said. This is a new challenge that I am excited to undertake.

Barker has served Cherokee County for the last five years as the executive assistant to the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners and county manager.

Before joining Cherokee County, Barker worked in marketing and sales in the medical device industry. She grew up in Cherokee County, graduating from Woodstock High School and Reinhardt University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication.

I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community through public service and to engage with our citizens, Barker said.

The Communications Division is responsible for disseminating information to media outlets and developing annual reports, brochures, flyers, and presentations. The department maintains the countys social media accounts and sections of the county website.

Neldner can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 678-493-6015, and Barker can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 770-721-7834.