Fernley’s new public information officer, Francesca Carrera, is only a few days into the job, but she has already been thrown straight into the middle of city business.
Carrera started work Monday. By Tuesday, Mayor Neal McIntyre had given her one of her first assignments: write his speech for the Silver Spike ceremony celebrating completion of the new rail spur at Victory Logistics District.
“I’ve never written speeches for other people,” Carrera said with a laugh. “I’ve just done it for myself.”
By Thursday morning, McIntyre was delivering her work before a crowd of business leaders, public officials and community members gathered alongside the new Union Pacific rail connection.
Not bad for a first week.
Carrera comes to Fernley with a background in journalism and communications. She attended Simpson University in Redding, California, where she worked as a sports reporter for the university before eventually moving into communications work.
She later earned her master’s degree through Grand Canyon University.
Having once been the reporter asking the questions, Carrera laughed about suddenly finding herself on the opposite side of the interview.
“This is so weird,” she said. “I was a reporter, and now I’m going to be interviewed.”
That reporting background may prove useful in her new role, which will put her in the middle of communication between City Hall, residents and local media.
Carrera grew up in Redding and describes herself as a “small-town girl.”
Although Redding has grown considerably, she remembers it as a much smaller community and said that environment helped shape what she values.
“Small town is always what I’m used to and what I love,” Carrera said. “I love community. I love the aspect that everybody knows each other.”
That sense of community was one of the things that attracted her to the Fernley position.
“It does take a village,” she said. “Whether that’s a family or whether that’s just living your life, it takes a village, and living in a community like this, it is your village.”
Carrera said she is especially looking forward to getting to know Fernley residents and working closely with the mayor and other city officials.
“I’m very excited about this job,” she said. “I’m excited to get to know the community. I’ve met some really cool people already.”
One of her early priorities will be helping improve the city’s communications with residents.
She is already learning the city newsletter process and expects to begin taking on broader public information duties as she settles into the position.
For local media, her arrival may also provide a clearer point of contact inside City Hall.
Carrera said she understands the importance of maintaining communication with reporters, even when the relationship between government and the press is not always comfortable.
That may come naturally to someone who has occupied both sides of the notebook.
For now, though, Carrera is still learning the personalities, processes and rhythms of her new community.
And if her first week is any indication, there will not be much time for easing into it.
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