The Kent School District Board of Directors approved the appointment of. Chris Loftis as the Kent School District’s new executive director of communications and school/community partnerships at the Oct. 27 regular meeting.

Loftis was hired after an extensive search and very rigorous interview process by district officials to find the candidate that best matched the needs of Kent School District. Loftis replaces Becky Hanks who recently retired from the Kent School District.

Loftis has more than 20 years of leadership experiences in education, communications, community relations, political affairs and volunteer management. He has worked as an educational consultant since 2003. He was executive director of Communities in Schools of Puyallup, Executive Director of United Way of Thurston County and managed Puyallup School District’s successful levy campaign asking voters to approve $183 million. As a recipient of the 2009 Service Above Self Award on behalf of Communities in Schools, Loftis was recognized for his work with families and schools.

He also has international experience having worked in Uzbekistan and South Africa.

Superintendent Edward Lee Vargas stated, “Mr. Loftis is an exceptional addition to the Kent School District team not only because of his extensive community relations work with school districts and communities, but also his focus on students and families and ability to bring people together around important issues.”

Loftis will begin his duties immediately.