Locke will direct the City’s external marketing, advertising and communication strategies, designed to promote City services. She will be responsible for keeping the public informed of the City’s programs and accomplishments. She joins the City’s Communications Team based in the City Manager Office, which now has more than 90 years of professional communications experience. The Communications Team reports to Assistant City Manager Cathy Holdeman.

“We’re excited that someone with Lauragail’s talents will be joining the team,” Holdeman said. “She has wide-ranging communications skills and an extensive television background. That combination will help our marketing efforts, especially as we look to expand marketing opportunities on our City7 government channel.”

Locke said she is excited to make the transition to public service. “I feel privileged to join the City of Wichita,” she said. “I look forward to this opportunity. I'm eager to help promote the many great services the City has to offer."

Locke was born and raised in the Wichita area. She graduated from Butler County Community College and Wichita State University. She then worked part time at Wichita’s KAKE TV for a year in the graphics department and as an assistant assignment editor.

Her next career move took her to KSNT, the NBC affiliate in Topeka, Kansas. She quickly moved up the ranks from associate producer/reporter to general assignment reporter. She later became the weekend anchor and held that position for three years. During that time she won first and second place awards from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for her reporting skills.

Four and a half years later in January 2003, she transferred to KSN News in Wichita as a general assignment reporter. After a few months she took over the city/county government beat, covering City Hall. She has also appeared as a part-time anchor for KSN News.

She joins a team of former journalists at City Hall. The Communications Team includes Government Relations Manager Dale Goter, a former award-winning print and public television journalist; and Public Information Officer Van Williams, a former award-winning senior journalist and editor at The Eagle newspaper. The Communications team also includes a former award-winning veteran radio journalist, Gordon Bassham, a spokesman for the Wichita Police Department who reports to Police Chief Norman Williams.

Locke replaces Jessica Johnson, who had held the position for eight years before leaving in June.

Back to Top