Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp’s communications director has been elevated to a new position and will be replaced by a former spokesperson for Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.
Mary Francis Hoots, formerly of Local 3 News, will become deputy chief of staff, Wamp’s office said Monday. She said her annual salary will remain $105,700 per year. Although with a different title, Hoots will fill the position left when the director of operations, Jennifer Pukenas, left county government earlier this year. Pukenas drew a $111,200 salary in that role.
Hoots will be replaced by Paris Vinnett, press secretary to Kelly. Vinnett was paid $70,000 per year by Kelly and will be paid $97,000 per year by Wamp. She worked her last day for the city Monday, according to a Kelly aide, Eric Holl. Vinnett joined Kelly’s staff in July 2024. She will start at the county on April 30.
Vinnett previously worked in communications roles with the city of Kenner and Jefferson Parish Public Schools in Louisiana. She holds a master’s of public administration degree from Louisiana State University.
Wamp had said on social media in March that the county was looking for a new director of communications.