By Eric Kuznar
Zionsville Town Council member Susana Suarez, 48, will fill the position of executive director of strategic communications in governor-elect Eric Holcomb’s administration.
She will remain a member of the Zionsville Town Council but stepped back from her role as president, with councilor Elizabeth Hopper being selected to serve in that role at the council’s Jan. 3 meeting.
She will also put her business, Media Moon Communications, on hold so she can focus on serving both the state and the town of Zionsville.
“I’d rather devote my time and energies to helping (Holcomb) achieve his vision for the state,” Suarez said. “I have my family that comes first in my life ahead of anything and I have the town council. I think that will be enough.”
Suarez said balancing work for the council and the state will help her succeed at each job. She said she will be able to use her experiences from one job and apply it to the other.
As executive director of strategic communications, Suarez will oversee all of the communication coming in and out of the governor’s office. She will also work with the media to relate Holcomb’s views and goals to the public.
Suarez worked on Holcomb’s transition team and said its work was a success. She said she is ready to take the next step.
“Being able to put (plans) into action is extremely exciting.” Suarez said.
Suarez, who worked for former President’s George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush, said working in politics at the state and regional level has special meaning for her. She said it is more personal because everything she does affects people in her own community.
“It’s highly personal,” Suarez said. “I was incredibly honored to be asked to be a part of it and I want to be a part of it.”
She officially assumed her new role Jan. 9, when Holcomb was sworn in as Indiana’s 52nd governor.
