The City of Durant’s new public information officers says she seeks to create more transparency in city government.
Madison McKown assumed her duties May 19 as PIO. She said she wants to bring the most transparency for the citizens with the city as possible.
“I feel like there’s a gap of transparency that I feel like we could bridge a little bit better and just build a sense of community through transparency, through lasting relationships, through trust, through respect,” McKown said. “I feel like that is something that is my goal in this position.”
McKown grew up in a suburb of Dallas and attended Texas Tech University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and her Master of Arts in Mass Communications.
Upon graduation, McKown built a successful career as an account manager at Dell Technologies. In her role, she was known for the strong, lasting relationships she developed with both her coworkers and customers – relationships built on trust, communication and mutual respect.
The city said she brings this same relationship-driven mindset to Durant, along with a can-do attitude and a genuine commitment to serving the community. Her goal is to foster transparency, connection and trust between city leadership and the citizens of Durant.
McKown has lived in big cities her entire life and she moved to Austin after completing college. The small-town vibe is what attracted her to Durant.
“I really was drawn to the smalltown lively feel and sense of community at Durant,” McKown said. “So, that’s why I applied. That’s kind of a perfect fit and that’s why I accepted.”
In a social media post, the city said it is thrilled to welcome McKown as the new PIO.
“Madison is excited to connect with you, our neighbors, families and local businesses to share the stories, updates and important info that matter most to our community,” the city said. “You’ll be hearing more from Madison soon as she helps keep Durant informed, engaged and growing together.”
In her free time, McKown enjoys spending quality time with her family, her dog, and her close friends. She also loves attending rodeos and creating new memories wherever life takes her.
“I’m very excited to be with the City of Durant and I look forward to all the relationships,” she said.
