SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon, Sr. and SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel, P.E., announced today that Carla Showell-Lee has joined the authority as Director of Media Relations. Ms. Showell-Lee is a Philadelphia-area media and public relations professional, most recently serving as the Chief Public Information Officer in Upper Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA.
“I am excited to have Ms. Showell-Lee as our new Director of Media Relations,” said Mr. Deon. “She will play a key role in publicly highlighting the important role SEPTA has in rebuilding and strengthening the region’s transportation network.”
Ms. Showell-Lee began her career in Upper Merion Township as a Media Consultant in March of 2009. She later became the Chief Public Information Officer in 2012, focusing her attention on rebuilding the township’s internal and external messaging. Ms. Showell-Lee successfully implemented the “Communication is Key” branding initiative throughout Upper Merion, coordinating and distributing information to the public, media, and employees, to keep all stakeholders engaged and informed. Ms. Showell-Lee oversaw Upper Merion’s Government Access Channel, UMGA-TV, a division within the Public Information Office. She found creative ways to implement programs that would engage more viewers: revamping the award winning topical affairs community program, “On The Move.”
“SEPTA welcomes Ms. Showell-Lee to our team,” said Mr. Knueppel. “We look forward to her assistance in communicating with the media, our riders and the public about the many exciting initiatives SEPTA has underway and will pursue in the future.”
Prior to Upper Merion Township, Ms. Showell-Lee worked as a host and producer throughout the Tri-State region for Comcast Newsmakers, an issue oriented news program, featured on CNN Headline News. She interviewed political legislators and pillars of the community. She also worked for WRTI-Jazz 90, KYW-Newsradio, Fox News, Banyan Productions, and Carsey-Werner Productions.
“Throughout my career, I’ve sought to continue to find innovative ways to capture the attention of an audience, find details of a story that people can relate to, and promote initiatives important to the community,” Ms. Showell-Lee said. “I look forward to working with the team at SEPTA as we engage the media and the public in discussions about issues that continue to promote the authority in a positive way.”