OPELIKA, Ala. – The City of Opelika and the Opelika Police Department welcomeAllison Duke as the new Community Relations Specialist. The new Community Relations/Special Services Division is focused on engaging with citizens of Opelika, improving cultural relations and strengthening employee relations. Her duties as the Community Relations Specialist will include managing the Opelika Police Department’s social media presence, media relations, marketing, website management, videos and messaging, event planning, community engagement and more.
“We are proud to welcome Allison to the team and have her help to bridge the gap between our police department and the community. She comes to us with many years of experience in communications and community engagement and we look forward to her developing strong relationships in the community,” said Captain Shane Healey.
Duke is a 2011 graduate of Auburn University with a B.S. in Hotel & Restaurant Management. She began her professional career working as the Special Events Coordinator for the City of Alpharetta where she assisted with the planning of city events such as the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest & the Taste of Alpharetta in 2008 & 2009. In 2011, she began working at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center as the Sales, Catering & Conference Services Admin before transitioning into the role of Marketing & Social Media Manager. During her nine years at the hotel she was responsible for formulating and implementing all marketing and social media strategies, managing social media accounts, launching a new responsive website, and designing internal and external communication pieces like print ads, signage, newsletters and collateral. She was appointed “Employee of the Year” in 2013 as the Zeitgeist Award Winner and was honored as the 2014 Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association Back of House Hospitality Employee of the Year.
Duke states, “I’m excited to be a part of the Opelika Police Department. I’m looking forward to implementing the new Together, Opelika campaign, as well as launching many new communications tools to better serve our community.”
Duke grew up in Johns Creek, Ga. before moving to Auburn in 2005. She lives in Opelika and is currently part of the Opelika Chamber’s 20 Under 40 Program.