Kevin Captain named County’s community information director

Posted On: June 16, 2020

The Volusia County division that’s responsible for communications, marketing and media relations for county government has its permanent director.

Kevin Captain, who has been doing the job on an interim basis since October, won confirmation on Tuesday as the permanent community information director. The Volusia County Council unanimously ratified County Manager George Recktenwald’s selection of Captain for the position.

Community Information oversees internal and external communications, public relations, marketing and advertising for the county, which includes assisting county departments with their communication needs, coordinating emergency public information and overseeing the county’s websites. Captain supervises a team of marketing specialists, video production coordinators and a graphic designer and webmaster in addition to administrative support staff. Since becoming the interim director, Captain has led the county’s massive communications efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“He’s just done an amazing job,” Recktenwald told the council. “He’s fostered a new culture in our communication area.”

Council members were equally enthusiastic in their praise of Captain.

“Kevin, you have been a breath of fresh air,” said council member Deby Denys. “Your zeal is infectious.”

Hired in December 2018, Captain had been serving as interim head of the division since former Community Information Director Joanne Magley took a position in October 2019 as director of marketing and customer service at the county-owned and operated Daytona Beach International Airport. Before joining the county, Captain came from a medical background dating back to 1999 that also included a mix of communications work, public speaking and media relations. His previous positions included manager of the emergency department at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach and trauma program manager at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach. While at Halifax Health, Captain served as the statewide spokesperson for government affairs related to trauma care and participated in numerous media activities regarding issues related to emergency and trauma medicine. He also co-authored several publications in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Captain has a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Wisconsin.

“I sincerely appreciate the faith and confidence that you’ve bestowed on me to become the director of community information,” Captain told the council and county administrators moments after his confirmation. “Every day is an opportunity. And I really look forward to all the new tomorrows and discovering new ways that we’re going to be able to disseminate information.”