City of Frederick Welcomes Two New Managers to Lead Public Affairs and Reengagement Efforts

The City of Frederick is pleased to announce the hiring of Jennifer Gerlock as Manager of Public Affairs and Jason Francis as Manager of Reengagement within the Office of Opportunity and Transformation.

"These are two exceptional hires who bring both experience and heart to their work," said Mayor Michael O'Connor. "Jennifer has a proven ability to build connections, tell compelling stories, and strengthen how organizations engage the people they serve. Jason's work has already changed lives in this community, and his leadership will help shape how we support and empower the next generation. Together, they will make our city stronger, more connected, and more inclusive."

Jennifer Gerlock, Manager of Public Affairs

Gerlock joins the City with more than two decades of experience leading marketing, communications, and event strategies across the public and private sectors. Most recently, she served in Public Affairs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where she directed communications for more than 35 national scientific conferences and spearheaded initiatives to enhance departmental outreach and efficiency.

She is also well known locally for her work at the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, where she served as Executive Director of Leadership Frederick County and Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Under her leadership, the Chamber completed a full rebrand, launched the award-winning S.H.E. Week event series, and partnered with Hood College to elevate the Leadership Frederick County program through graduate-level coursework.

Gerlock holds the Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) credential, underscoring her expertise in event management and compliance.

Jason Francis, Manager of Reengagement

Francis brings more than a decade of experience in youth services, community engagement, and program development. In his new role, he will oversee the City's reengagement and workforce readiness initiatives, including the launch of the Frederick Youth Center - a cornerstone project advancing the City's goals around equity, access, and opportunity.

Previously, Francis served as Youth Services Coordinator for the Housing Authority of the City of Frederick, where he developed trauma-informed programs and helped launch the Scholars in Motion college access initiative. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Oakwood University, a Master of Divinity from Andrews University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Counseling at Hood College.

For more information, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at [email protected]