• By Todd Luck
• Posted Thursday, September 8, 2022

Ed McNeal is new Forsyth County communications director

Forsyth County Government has announced the appointment of Ed McNeal as the County’s communications director.

McNeal emerged as the top candidate after a nationwide search and will begin this new position on Monday. He has more than 25 years of experience in communication, most recently serving as the City of Winston-Salem's Marketing and Communications Director.

During this year’s annual budgeting process, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners created a new centralized communications and public information department in an effort to improve communications with the community. In a resident survey on County services conducted in 2020, respondents identified communication as an area they’d like to see enhancements in.

“I am excited to work with Mr. McNeal in our efforts to improve communications and outreach across all County departments,” said County Manager Dudley Watts. “Ed brings experience with organizational leadership and knowledge of the complex media outlets that will greatly enhance our efforts to serve this community. “

McNeal is a graduate of Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga. with a BFA in Radio and Television Broadcasting. He worked as a reporter at TV stations in Valdosta, Panama City, Fla. and in Winston-Salem. In 2001, he joined the City of Winston-Salem as a marketing coordinator for Recreation and Parks. In 2005, he became the Marketing and Communications director for the City, a position he held until May 2022. Since then, he’s been working with local governments through his own company, McNeal Communications, LLC.

“I feel especially fortunate to have the opportunity to apply my experience to the services provided by Forsyth County,” said McNeal. “I’ve worked closely with different departments over the years and am eager to get started. Government communications is all I’ve wanted to do since leaving broadcast journalism 21 years ago, and to be a part of creating a team approach in Forsyth County government is a high calling.”