Fast Five with Jason Schneider

Published on April 20, 2023

Jason Schneider runs the Charlotte Communication & Marketing (CC&M) department which covers storytelling, public affairs, community engagement, marketing and creative services, internal communications, web services and video production for the City of Charlotte. 

Learn more about his background and what his team is up to in this month’s Fast Five.

Which part of the organization do you lead?

I lead the Charlotte Communication & Marketing Department. One of the best parts of working in CC&M is that we get to touch so many different parts of the organization and get the chance to contribute to many projects. One day we may be working on a Corridors of Opportunity event, and the next day working with the Strategy & Budget department to help explain to residents an important part of the budget process, and the next day we’re working with the Planning, Design & Development or Economic Development teams. It’s a great department where you can get a really good sense of all the great work the organization is doing.

Why did you decide to work for the City of Charlotte?

I get a lot of satisfaction and joy by working with people who are dedicated to working together to make meaningful impact and that describes the City of Charlotte. I spent most of my career in healthcare, which has a lot of similarities with government in terms of the type of people that are attracted to that work. It was also a great opportunity to serve my community. I’ve lived in Charlotte for more than 10 years; my children were born here and this is home now. So, it’s been a wonderful way to contribute to Charlotte and be a part of its future.

What is the biggest organizational priority you’re working on right now?

We just launched the new charlottenc.gov which is a huge accomplishment. Web sites are obviously critical to any organization, but for an organization like the City of Charlotte, it’s not just about getting information – it’s getting help, accessing resources, getting work done and so much more. It’s been a massive undertaking with people from pretty much every department participating. We’ve already made the site much smaller and easier to navigate and though we still have a lot more work to do, getting the new site up and running is a big milestone. I’m really excited about what we’ll be able to do on the new site and how much it will help connect residents to the organization and the resources they need.

What is your favorite part about working for the City of Charlotte?

Without a doubt, it’s the people. The people who work for this organization are dedicated to serving our community and to trying to make Charlotte a better place. It can be humbling to work with people in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte Fire Department or any of the departments that are out in the community, and to see the sacrifices they make and all the hard work they put in to help our community grow. It’s a great feeling to be a part of that.

What is your favorite restaurant in Charlotte?

I’m not sure I can pick just one. The food scene in Charlotte has grown so much over the past decade and there’s so many great and different places. I’m partial to the Plaza Midwood/Optimist Park/NoDa area for several reasons (mostly it’s been home since I moved to Charlotte) but mainly because there’s such a variety of types of food and types of experiences. In that relatively small geographic area, I’m not sure there isn’t something that you can’t find.